Managing your Mental Health on Valentine’s Day
Many of us look forward to celebrating the love in our life on Valentine’s Day. Others dread it. Valentine’s Day can bring feelings of happiness and joy for those in a relationship, but it can also bring stress and disappointment for those who are single or experiencing relationship difficulties. Regardless of your relationship status, it’s important to prioritize your mental health on Valentine’s Day and every day.
Valentine’s Day is a time to take a moment out to express your love to your significant other and other loved ones. While this day can tend to bring up a lot of loneliness in individuals who do not have a partner to spend this holiday with.
The best way an individual can manage their feelings about Valentine’s Day is to change their mindset and strive for happiness by spending time to exercise self-love.
Whether you’re feeling isolated or are struggling to see the positives of being single this time of year, there are things you can do to help you beat Valentine’s Day depression.
Reasons for Valentine’s Day Depression
- A reminder of romantic failures: Many people hate valentine’s day because it reminds them that they’re single, which means they might have to spend this day alone. This thought can be depressing as they feel lonely and isolated.
- High expectations: Valentine’s Day is surrounded by intense hype, which sets high expectations from our significant other. People in couples may expect something special for them. Their partners often don’t share the same enthusiasm for the day and never meet their partner’s expectations, bringing along sadness and
- Pressure and stress. Valentine’s day brings intense pressure on couples to make time for their significant other. Despite it not being a public holiday, it’s one of the parameters of love; this can stress working couples trying to balance their professional and personal lives as well.
By taking care of ourselves and practicing self-compassion, we can minimize the negative impact that this holiday can have on our emotions and well-being. Here are some tips for managing mental health on Valentine’s Day:
Tips to Help You Beat Valentine’s Day Depression
Celebrate YOU!
The relationship you have with yourself will be your longest relationship in life, so it’s important to treat yourself well. If you are not spending Valentine’s Day with a significant other, plan your own night. You should think about what reenergizes you. Treat yourself to activities that bring you joy and relaxation, such as reading a book, taking a bath, or meditating.
Don’t let comparisons get you down
With social media, advertisements, and window displays constantly reminding us that our gifts reflect our commitment, it’s easy to feel inferior in comparison to the idea of the “perfect” relationship.
By allowing ourselves to become distracted by what others may think about us, we deplete our mental resources. Limit social media exposure: Seeing romantic posts and advertisements can increase feelings of loneliness or pressure. So limit your time on social media.
Be kind to yourself
Acknowledge and accept your feelings, whether they are positive or negative, and avoid self-criticism. Avoid placing excessive pressure on yourself or your relationship on this day, and focus on gratitude, by writing down things you are thankful for, including friends, family, and personal achievements.
Connect with loved ones
Reach out to friends, family, or a support group for emotional support and companionship. Arrange to see friends, take a day trip to somewhere interesting or unique, go for dinner and drinks, or engage in some retail therapy. Many places offer discounts on Valentine’s Day. And being in a romantic relationship surely isn’t a prerequisite for taking advantage of them.
Seek support if necessary
If you are really struggling this Valentine’s Day, speak to a trusted family member, friend or therapist. And get the help you need.
Don’t allow feelings of sadness and loneliness take the best of you this Valentine’s. Contact Dr. Carla for will help with overcoming these feelings through her unique approach.
