It is a fact that not everyone loves Valentine’s Day. And yet, it is all around. In shops, window displays are festooned with hearts and flowers. Social media is awash with gifts we are urged to buy for our ‘loved one’. It can be difficult to avoid. For some people, it’s a day of celebration but for others, it can all be a bit overwhelming.
All too often there are unrealistic depictions of what Valentine’s Day and romance ‘should’ look like in the media, social media and in the cinema which can leave those of us who didn’t receive armfuls of cards, invitations to romantic dinners or marriage proposals feeling like we’re somehow lacking. This can lead to increased anxiety.
Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to symbolise only ‘romantic’ love. Regardless of relationship status, it can be a day where we celebrate ourselves, our friends and the things we love. It is not a day where we have to show the world how ‘perfect’ our lives are – no-one’s life is!
One way to decrease anxiety is to demonstrate self-care. It’s vital to mental wellbeing and helps reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Those who pay attention to their own physical and mental health are better equipped to adapt to change, they can build stronger relationships (with everyone, not just romantic!) and are more resilient. So whether you’re sharing Valentine’s Day with a partner, or marking it ‘solo’, remember it’s important to nurture the relationship you have with yourself.
An important aspect of self-care is to indulge yourself in a little ‘me time’ wherever possible. Meditation and yoga are both good activities to try but taking the time for some extra rest, learning a new skill such as painting, cooking or dancing. Choose something that will bring you happiness.
Spending time with friends and loved ones on Valentine’s Day is naturally a positive way to overcome the focus on ‘romance’ the day can bring, but what if that’s not possible on the day itself? One idea might be to arrange a call via Skype, Zoom or Teams to plan a trip or get-together for another date. Research shows that people can experience more happiness planning a trip than taking it! Another way to get together might be to enjoy a movie or TV show together via FaceTime.
The important thing to remember is that Valentine’s doesn’t need to be about romance, it can celebrate love in its many forms. ‘Galentines’ and ‘Palentines’ celebrations are also becoming more and more popular, celebrating the love of friends.
Mental health charity Mind has some helpful information about Valentine’s Day and how it can impact people’s mood, self-esteem and other aspects of their lives. It can be found here