If Valentines Day has got you down, you’re not the only one feeling lonely. It’s hard enough to feel connected to your family and friends during COVID-19, let alone attempting to date. After a year of social distancing, the holiday just stings a little bit more than usual. While the couples out there may be limited to a date night at home, being alone on Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to feel so lonely.
The best way to manage feelings of loneliness on Valentine’s Day is by shifting your focus to what you already have. While some people may have chosen to be solo, It’s also possible that you’re single for reasons outside of your control.
As a result of living through the COVID-19 pandemic, connecting and meeting new people has become much harder than usual. For those dealing with social anxiety disorder (SAD), it can make pursuing relationships even harder. Whatever the reason may be, we’ve got you covered with these 4 tips for feeling less lonely on Valentine’s Day.
4 Big Tips for feeling less lonely on Valentine’s Day
Be of service.
Offer acts of kindness to those around you! Physiologically, kindness can change your brain for the better. Acts of kindness can increase serotonin and dopamine, which give your brain the feelings of satisfaction, well-being and pleasure. Kindness can increase your sense of connectivity with others, which directly impacts loneliness and enhances relationships in general. Help yourself feel good, by making others feel good!
Remind yourself of your support system.
Acknowledge the people in your life by writing down who you can turn to. It’s easy to feel alone on Valentines Day, but it’s important to remember that romantic relationships aren’t the only ones that matter. Choose a handful of people in your circle and give them a text or call. Remind them of how much they mean to you and likely, it will open up a conversation that alleves the loneliness and brightens your day. You may be surprised at the number of people who feel the same way you do. Treat Valentine’s Day as a way to make new connections! Websites like Meetup and Eventbrite can help you find local events that bring you joy, with the opportunity to meet new people.
Stay off of social media.
Social media has a way of influencing our emotions whether we realize it or not. While you may not be checking Instagram or Facebook with the goal of seeing what everyone else is up to, it’s best to save catching up for after the holiday. Use this time to treat yourself to something you enjoy! Having a hard time staying off screen? Rather than looking at pictures of what everyone else is doing – or what you “should be doing”, take photos and document yourself doing something that YOU love! Share this on social media and see how your friends and followers support you.
Treat it like any other day.
Rather than dreading the holiday or coming up with plans to fill the void, try treating it like any other day. Planning a Valentine’s dinner date with friends can be a nice distraction, but it can also highlight the loneliness. Try not to force plans, and instead, focus on what really brings you joy. Stick to your usual schedule and treat Valentines Day like any other day.
Feeling alone in your relationship?
Speak up! Maybe you’re in a relationship this Valentines Day, but that doesn’t mean you’re immune to loneliness. It’s easy to find yourself wishing for more on this high-pressure holiday, but to do so both partners need to speak up. The idea of directly asking for what you want can provoke anxiety, but by vocalizing what you want, you may have the best Valentines Day yet. Use this holiday as a chance to ask for what you want, directly and with warmth. You’ll both increase your self-respect and feel more satisfied as a couple. If you are feeling lost in your relationship and don’t know where to turn, marriage counseling may be an option for you.
Therapy in St. Petersburg and Tampa, Florida
If you are struggling with loneliness and relationship-building, the team at McNulty Counseling and Wellness is here to help you feel connected again. We take a holistic approach to promote balance in all areas of your life, and understand that relationships are one of the tricky areas to conquer. Contact us here or call us at 727-344-9867 to begin your therapy journey at our office or virtually in Saint Petersburg and Tampa, Florida.
