Valentine’s Day is often seen as a day to celebrate love and joy, but for many, this holiday can be extremely stressful, especially for singles, those mourning lost loved ones, or those battling an unhealthy relationship.
These are our five tips on how you can prioritize your mental health this Valentine’s Day
- Celebrate your most important relationship – the one with yourself!
The relationship you have with yourself is the longest relationship you will ever have. You need to be sure you are treating yourself the right way. Make this Valentine’s Day love yourself – whether that is taking a bath or buying flowers. Love yourself, the healthy way.
- Invest in all your relationships
Valentine’s Day is all about love – not just romantic love. Be sure to show gratitude to your family and friends. This is the perfect opportunity to show others you appreciate them.
- Practice mindfulness
Meditation and mindfulness can be found in a variety of forms. Find a mindfulness app or a free podcast, and focus your attention on your breath and your emotions. If sitting quietly and journeying through meditation does not sound helpful, consider coloring in a calming book or writing a journal entry. Doing this regularly has been shown to reduce feelings of anxiety and stress and can help you cope if emotions become too strong.
- 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. If this day or any other day you need someone to talk to and are experiencing a crisis, you can access “Free 24/7 support at your fingertips. Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor”
- Turn off social media.
You love to see your family and friends happy, but consider avoiding social media for the days leading up to Valentine’s Day. It can be difficult to see others having something you want and turning off social media will give you time to focus on what’s really important this holiday.
Love yourself by listening to your needs. Be sure to listen to your feelings, body, and your heart this Valentine’s Day.