Be Well Spokane

Be Well Spokane

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Ways to #BeWell this Valentine's Day

 

Ways to #BeWell this Valentine’s Day


Valentine’s Day, here it comes again. The pink paper hearts are out en mass and the grocery store has its endcaps stacked high with chocolates by the bagful. Listen carefully and you can almost hear the sound of all the single people in the country muttering under their breath about another Valentine’s Day alone.

If you’re flying solo this year, then we just want to remind you that you’re not the only one, and that there will be plenty more chances for hokey Valentine’s Day romances. We just want you to #BeWell. Read on for some other thoughts and tips on keeping strong this Valentine’s Day, and prioritizing your mental wellbeing.

Celebrate all your relationships

Just because you may happen to be, for the moment, without a plus one, that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of love in your life worth celebrating. Check in with the ones you care about. Call, write, or plan a lunch date or a coffee. Remind your loved ones how much you love them, and in doing so, remind yourself just how much you have to be grateful for. When the 14th rolls around, try measuring the love in your life by how much you can give, not how much you get.

Give a token of affection

Just because you’re single doesn’t mean you can’t partake in Hallmark’s favorite day of the year! Give a gift if you feel like it. Go ahead, buy some Valentine’s Day cards. Send your mom a cheesy E-card. Buy a single friend a heart-shaped chocolate.

And if no one’s giving you gifts this V Day, then who says you can’t give one to yourself? Fix your favorite meal. Now’s a perfect time to try out one those weighted anxiety blankets you saw online, or a new pair of slippers, or really good book.

Go in with a plan

It’s easy to feel anxious about Valentine’s Day as it looms on the horizon. To curb that anxiety, planning out the day ahead of time may help. And instead of planning a pity-party night of binging ice cream, try to get active. Maybe a morning exercise, and a healthy breakfast. Find an item on your to-do list to get finished and crossed off. Make a list of the loved ones you want to call. Visit a friend. You could give an hour or two to volunteering. Spend the evening with Grandma. It doesn’t matter exactly how you fill your V Day schedule, so long as you are purposeful about it, and absorbed in the day’s activities.

Also, If you plan yourself a movie night, then you might want to choose that comedy you’ve been meaning to watch instead of your favorite romance. Just a thought.

Don’t dwell on Valentine’s Days past

These arbitrary calendar dates have a way of pushing us to take inventory of our lives. Am I happier now than I was this time last year? Am I as loved this year as I was last year? Try to resist the instinct! It’s a new year and who knows what goodness is coming to you? Instead of glamorizing past Valentine’s Days, keep your eyes on the future. Oh, and we recommend you don’t call that ex you already know is bad news for your mental wellbeing.

So what if it sounds cheesy? Love yourself

Please forgive the corniness, but sometimes we have to be our own Valentines. Don’t wait any longer to love yourself. Positive thinking isn’t always easy work, but now is always a good time to practice.

Look, love is a tricky thing to find. Romantic chemistry is a total head-scratcher. All of it requires plenty of searching and luck, and some failed experiments along the way. When you’re feeling discouraged, remember that just because you haven’t lucked into romance this year doesn’t mean you’ve failed, or that you’re unlovable. Your moment just hasn’t come yet. So keep you eyes peeled for it.

We want to hear all about your Valentine’s Day plans! Tell us how you’ll prioritize your mental well being this year, and how you plan to celebrate the love in your life. Join the conversation online using the hashtags #BeWell and #BeHeard.

Remember, just because your single for Valentine’s Day doesn’t mean you’re alone!

If you or someone you know is having a difficult time and would like to talk to someone about it, there are people who want to help. For teens who want to talk to other teens, call Teen Line at 310-855-4673, text TEEN to 839863, or visit  www.teenlineonline.org.

For those in crisis or struggling with thoughts of suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255).  Or chat with someone online by going to www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.


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