Valentine’s Day seems to be one of those holidays that you either totally love or totally hate, regardless of whether you’re in a relationship or not. Every year at this time, society can put a ton of undue pressure on having an “epic” Valentine’s Day.
But since the holiday isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, why not take advantage of it in a different way? With a little self-love that can benefit you and your mental wellness.
Courtesy of Lehigh Center for Clinical Research, here are five ways you can show yourself a little love this Valentine’s Day.
Buy Yourself Something Nice
It may seem cheesy, but if you can afford a mild splurge, why not buy yourself a little gift?
Whether it’s something you’ve been wanting for a long time, or just something you’re in the mood for at that particular moment, there’s nothing wrong with treating yourself.
Even something as simple as ordering take-out from your favorite restaurant or shopping for new clothes and accessories can go a long way in reminding yourself that you work hard and you deserve nice things from time to time.
If you’re on a tight budget, you can still treat yourself to a small care package of essentials like some dark chocolate, herbal tea, or some essential oils.
Set Healthy Boundaries
Self-love involves the practice of putting yourself first, and sometimes, that means saying no to things you’re not comfortable with or even cutting ties with toxic people who have been negatively impacting your mental health.
If you know a relationship or an activity will affect you negatively, it’s ok to question whether it’s really worth continuing to involve yourself with them. This can be hard, but it’s important to remember that the people and activities you keep in your life should not be placing constant strain on you mentally, physically, or spiritually.
Your free time has value, so make sure you have some solid control over how you spend it and who you spend it with.
Indulge in Some Self-Care
Showing yourself some love also involves taking the time to care for your emotional and physical needs. Self-care starts with basic routines that involve things like proper nutrition, exercise, and sleep. These essentials help to keep both your body and mind healthy at all times.
Even beyond that though, don’t be afraid to do some things that make you happy. This might mean having a spa night, partaking in an activity that you enjoy, or even taking yourself on a nice date.
This Valentine’s Day, consider this: what is one thing that you do solely for your own benefit? Now, consider how you might be able to squeeze something in every other day of the year as well.
Choose relaxing and pleasurable activities that make you feel whole, and plan and complete them regularly. Remember, self-care is not selfish!
Plan a Fun Night With Friends
If you have other single pals or friends that don’t care much for Valentine’s Day, why not set aside some time to spend with them? Think of it like a Friendsgiving with a loving Valentine’s Day twist.
If you aren’t able to see one another in person due to distance or ongoing global pandemics, you can still do something like this over video calls. You can have a virtual wine tasting, play some virtual games, virtually watch some movies or television together, or just kick back and chat.
There are plenty of benefits to be had from socializing with friends you love, trust, and adore. Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be romantic, but you can still celebrate love in different ways!
Challenge Negative Self-Thoughts
By now, you’ve probably come to notice that all of the entries on this list have a singular goal in mind: learning to nurture and appreciate you rather than someone else.
One of the best ways you can show yourself a little love this Valentine’s Day is by working to silence your inner critic. Negative thinking can take quite the toll on your self-esteem, so it’s important to recognize and challenge negative self-thoughts whenever they occur.
If the voice inside you has become quite nasty, it may take some time to turn it around, but it’s always a worthwhile venture in the end. Try speaking to yourself as you would a cherished friend or family member, rather than a bully.
Instead of saying things like “God, I’m such an idiot,” say instead “I’m doing my best and I’m proud of that.”
While this may seem foolish at first, the power of positive thinking can carry significant benefits over time, and soon, you’ll really start to notice the difference.
At Lehigh Center for Clinical Research, we care about you and the state of your mental health. We care about others like you as well. Those who may be suffering from depression, anxiety, or eating disorders.
That’s why we’re constantly researching these illnesses and working on new ways to treat them. If you’re interested in being a part of our journey to create better lives for those suffering from mental health disorders, click here to check out how you can get involved in one of our many ongoing studies or clinical trials. We look forward to seeing you!
