February is the sweet month of love. As Valentine’s Day arrives, the city markets bustle with colours, florists are loaded with red roses and heart-shaped bouquets, gift shops glitter with all-things-love in the shapes of heart! To add to the excitement in the air, couples, especially the ones who love some PDA have their sleeves rolled up and plans well made. Restaurants and cafe’s run promotional activities for couples celebrating love. Social media gets bustling with Valentine’s Day messages, love quotes and more. These days, Valentine’s Day is not only about love but also a commercial season for serious businesses. So, it is loud and in-your-face to quite an extent.
When there is so much hype all around, what do the single ones do? FOMO or immense aversion is an obvious result. This is a tough time of the year for those who have had heartbreaks too. Few couples end up in a battle with contrasting views on going extra and celebrating a dedicated day for a lifelong concept like love. Some hold unrealistically grand expectations from their better half while expressing love, be it materialistically or non-materialistically. It’s a different ball game for unhappy couples too. Valentine’s Day is not as rosy as it seems when one’s circumstances and beliefs are unaligned with the norms.
Valentine’s Day Depression
Depression cases in February have been rising substantially in recent times. Most mental health counsellors and practitioners deal with the maximum number of depression cases and cases of suicidal tendencies during Valentine’s week. America’s Suicide Helplines have reported the highest number of incoming calls in Valentine’s week. Therapists have reported a higher number of walk-ins due to anxiety and panic attacks related to Valentine’s Day expectations and demands.
As per cardiologists, the Broken Heart Syndrome hits harder around Valentine’s Day. Broken Heart Syndrome is a real medical condition. Emotional stress or trauma causes the body to undergo stress cardiomyopathy which temporarily mimics a heart attack, causing breathlessness and chest pains.
Other Negative Emotions
Many feel unwanted and unloved amid all the display of emotions. Longing vs loving strikes deeper. Not having that special someone to pamper silly can sink one’s heart, throwing self-love is off the radar. The feeling of loneliness grows deeper while watching all those mushy love showers around. One can be reminded of his or her heartbreak or imperfect relationship and feel super upset too.
Things To Do
While so much about Valentine’s Day can weigh you down, there is a lot you can do to feel top-notch and treat this as just any other festive day of the year. Scan through some great tips to help you overcome negative emotions of any sorts during this phase:
Know That You Are Not Alone
Knowing that you are not the only one feeling so overwhelmed with Valentine’s week is comforting peculiarly. There are way too many who feel nothing great about the phase but manage to pull themselves out and have a great time, nonetheless.
Know That Self-Love Is The Most Rewarding
This is a great chance to reflect and plan a better self-care routine. Working on your self-esteem can help you bash feeling unwanted. Activities that involve pampering your self, taking care of your holistic growth and development and doing things that make you truly happy will have time fly by. Self-care activities make one stronger inside out.
Use This As A Patch-Up Time
Those in an unhappy relationship, Valentine’s Week can set a mood to patch up and make peace with each other. If you wish to mend ways, no better chance than the day when love is celebrated globally!
Communicate With Your Partner
An honest and open conversation with your partner can be a game-changer for not only the upcoming Valentine’s week but also for all the future ones together. Openly communicate about your feelings, expectation, capacity to fulfil his/her demands. This will help you get over Valentine’s Day anxiety and treat it like any other happy day of the year.
Spend Time With Loved Ones
Know that it is okay to give all the space to the couples you are close to. But you don’t need to spend time sulking alone. Make fun plans with your single buddies, a group of friends or just have a gala Galentine’s Day. We just need a reason to celebrate and have fun and why leave a chance!
Make Your Workspace A Happier One
Watching flowers, gifts and cards pouring into the office can irritate for sure. Change the mood by planning a team lunch, group activity session or by bringing pets to work on the day.
Get A Digital Detox
This is a great time to plunge into the long-pending digital detox by minimizing your exposure to the electronic devices. Keep calm and keep the phone away. Have no expectations from crushes and block yourself from the floating hearts online!
This Valentine’s week let’s ensure to have nothing but happy vibes, positivity and love— within and around!
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