While Valentine’s day can be a very romantic day to celebrate your relationship, for many it can be difficult, lonely, and pretty heartbreaking. Whether you’re single and surrounded by couples, or you’re fresh out of a breakup, sometimes February 14th can just suck. But that being said, there are a few things you can do to make the holiday bearable, and it all starts with you. So here’s how to practice self-love this Valentine’s day.
For those not in a relationship, being around couples can be downright annoying, great you’re in love, but that doesn’t mean we all want to look at it. So sometimes this romantic day calls for a night-in, where you can show yourself some tender loving care.
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Experts at Kalms (opens in new tab), the brand behind calming herbal remedies, have rounded up some self-love practices to help you through the day—and every day really—whether you’re single, not able to be with your partner, or your plans have fallen through.
1. Do something YOU love
Starting with one of our favorites and arguably the easiest—do something you love. Whether it’s a bath, a long walk, doing your skincare routine, or watching the best rom-coms on Netflix. Dedicate the day to do the things you love. As the experts say: “Engaging in activities you enjoy elevates your mood and boosts energy.”
2. Pay attention to your thoughts
You can also take the day to focus on your mental health and inner thoughts and worries. Try journaling—writing down everything you’re thinking or feeling.
Kalms says: “Whenever you notice yourself saying something unkind to yourself, simply switch to a gentler tone and try to evaluate things rationally to contain your inner critic.
“Speak to yourself as you would to a loved one. Self-love is about respecting your own needs and desires and is essential to counteracting stress.”
This could be really therapeutic if you’ve just gone through a break-up or are dealing with a gameplayer on dating apps.
3. Move
Get your body moving, whether it’s dancing to music or doing a peaceful yoga sesh as “exercise encourages the body to release endorphins which counteract the release of cortisol.”
Heading outside will also give you a dose of Vitamin D—which is always a good thing.
4. Get a good nights sleep
Try to get a good night’s sleep, before and after Valentine’s day. It might be hard not to toss and turn re-playing past conversations or fretting over your relationship status but you’ll feel so much better in the morning.
5. Laugh
There’s a reason why the saying goes ‘Laughter is the best medicine’ Kalms says: “Laughter releases endorphins and other healthy hormones and helps take your mind off of stress.”
So scroll TikTok, or watch a comedy, call a friend—anything that will make you crack a smile.
6. Love yourself
This is one we’re adding to the list as it’s one of the best things you can do to love yourself. Give yourself a good ol’ fashion orgasm.
Yep, we’re talking about masturbating—treat yourself to the best app-controlled vibrators or hands-free vibrators and show yourself a good time.