For many people, the arrival of Valentine’s
Day means an abundance of romance, chocolates, and candy hearts with
flirtatious phrases. But for others, February 14th can feel like just another
day in the gloom of winter. Valentine’s Day can be a nice
opportunity to show someone special you care about them, but it can also be a
day to inspire self-care, as well! Continue reading for five self-care tips to
be your own Valentine this year!
Find Comfort in Your Favorites
Returning to the comforts of your favorite
movies, TV shows, books, and music can be a great plan when spending
Valentine’s Day alone. While there’s always plenty of new options trending in
entertainment, there’s something to be said for rewatching, relistening, or
rereading the things that resonate with you most. Find solace in your favorite
book, dance around your home to your favorite album, or enjoy the company of
your favorite characters by throwing something familiar on your TV. When
returning to your favorites you may find yourself forming new memories around
them, noticing things you hadn’t noticed before, or remembering some of the
things you had forgotten. Practice self-care by acquainting yourself with your
favorites and the other unique things that make you, you.
Plan a Trip
If you’re spending Valentine’s Day alone, it
can be the perfect opportunity to plan a road trip or vacation for the spring or summer! Instead of
dwelling on any glum thoughts, look ahead to your future and plan out an adventure of your choosing. If you could go
anywhere in the world and do anything you want, what would you do? Let your
imagination run wild and think of all the possibilities that excite you. Plan out
where you’d like to go, where you’d like to stay, what foods you’d like to try,
and activities you’d like to do. It can be very therapeutic and exciting to
take the time to map out a trip like this. Even if you never end up
going, you may learn something about your dream destination that you hadn’t
known before.
Go For a Walk
While you may be inclined to seek refuge on
your couch if you’re alone on Valentine’s Day,
going outdoors for a walk is a fantastic self-care tip that only requires a
little bit of motivation to get up and get to it. Exercise and fresh air can pay immediate
dividends to your mental health, and can be a productive, fun way to spend your
Valentine’s Day. Listen to a podcast or simply enjoy the sounds of nature as
you explore your neighborhood. Try to look for signs of spring or any detours
that might catch your eye. Maybe you will end up admiring the rushing ice in
the rapids of a nearby river. Maybe you will end up stopping somewhere for an
impromptu cup of coffee. Leave yourself open to these possibilities and try to
make the most of the opportunities around you.
Make Dinner Special
Whether you prefer to cook it yourself or
order it at a restaurant, put only your best-loved foods on the menu for your
Valentine’s Day dinner. If you’re feeling experimental, try your hand at making something special that you have never
made before. It can be a fun, rewarding challenge to make one of your favorites
from scratch. If you don’t feel like going through
all the effort or you aren’t confident in your culinary capabilities, you can
always order takeout or eat-in at your restaurant of choice. It’s true after
all: the best way to your own heart is also through your stomach!
Reach Out to a Loved One
It’s important to remember that there are many
different kinds of love we can celebrate on this holiday. Valentine’s Day is
also an opportunity to let your family and friends know how much they mean to
you. If you are celebrating Valentine’s Day without a special someone, remind
yourself of all the other kinds of love that exist in your life by phoning a
family member or friend. Ask your loved ones about their day, share some
updates about your life, and try to make plans to meet up with them sometime
soon. Reaching out to a loved one can remind you of the important relationships
that you do have, and it may even make their day.
Are you ready to look past winter and to
brighter, longer days to come? Check out our spring
maintenance kit to make sure you are ready to hit the ground running when
things brighten up!
