Feeling Alone on Valentine’s Day: Help is on the Way!

Written by Kristin Barton Cuthriell M.Ed, MSW, LCSW

Do you anticipate being alone this Valentine’s Day?  While there are people who do not care to recognize the holiday and others who are more than happy to spend the day alone, there are others who find the day filled with feelings of loneliness. If you find yourself feeling down and alone this Valentine’s Day, here are some helpful tips.

• Feelings are temporary: Remind yourself that you will not feel like this forever. Your situation will change and your feelings will change. Find positive ways to ride out difficult emotions.
• Practice gratitude: Turn your focus away from what you don’t have and concentrate on what you do have. Make a list of all the blessings in your life. If you are unable to come up with any, please read my blog on Healthy Perspective.
• Give love and receive love: Take flowers or Valentine’s Day cards (the box of cards that elementary school children use will work great) and pass them out at a local nursing home or assisted living facility. You will be surprised at how much love you will feel by making someone else feel loved.
• Make a date with a single friend: Valentine’s Day is about love. That love doesn’t have to be romantic love. Spend time with friends or family members. Make plans to go do something fun.
• Work on a goal list: Having goals will make you feel more hopeful. Work on breaking your goals into small manageable steps. Achieving goals gives you a sense of accomplishment which is good for your mental health.
•  Treat yourself: Be good to yourself. Do something that you really enjoy. (Take a walk, listen to music, watch a movie, take a long hot bath, go shopping, get a massage, watch a ball game…) Refrain from watching romantic movies or listening to sad music if you are feeling  lonely; opt for inspirational uplifting entertainment. Watching a good comedy can can also be very therapeutic. Laughing is good for the soul.
• Watch your self-talk: Use positive affirmations and avoid negative self-talk. Do not say anything to yourself that you would not say to your best friend.
• Get physical: Exercise improves mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
• Pray/Meditate: Spend time talking to God. Remember, you are always loved, and you are never really alone.

Stay tuned for the next post

Losing the Game Does Not Make You a Loser!