Not every one loves Valentine's Day. It can be a painful reminder of what is not going right in your life especially if you are single. Unhappiness in relationships can also be detrimental to one's health. Valentine's Day can also bring up body image issues. For years I told myself if only I had a 6-pack then I would be more desirable to a man. If I had bigger breasts then I am definitely more attractive and therefore I will have a better love life and that will in turn increase my happiness. There's more to attracting a mate than having a hot body. How you make others feel is really where your power is. Here are a few tips on getting through V-Day:
- Have some chocolate and as I like to do "in a real emergency, break apart and eat". Cacao produces endorphins similar to falling in love plus the magnesium is great for women's health.
- Exercise. Shake it and move the pain out. Exercise releases endorphins and helps you find inner strength so you can handle stress. For Valentine's Day do a workout you truly love such as yoga, Zumba, Pilates or Kick Boxing.
- Be with positive people. Valentine's Day is not the day to call your Aunt Gladys who makes you feel bad about being single. Keep company with people who love you unconditionally (or at least like you a whole lot).
- Know that you truly have a "love life". Fill your day with things you love. Valentine's Day can easily turn into "My Favorites Day". Make this day about pleasure. Listen to your favorite music or cook your best dish.
- Become one with a cause or group greater than yourself. It's easy to feel lonely on Valentine's Day but perhaps you can use the day to volunteer for a great organization.
- Be the love you want to be. In the meantime you can still be romantic. Romance attracts romance. If you were in a relationship would you want your partner to send you roses? Cook a nice meal? Treat you to a massage? Do that for yourself.
- Take a trip or spend time in a neighborhood you have never been to. Sometimes experiencing something new can heal your heart. Plus you won't be reminded of all those places you and Mr. So-So went to on Valentine's Day.
- Love yourself. As RuPaul says, "How the hell are you going to love anyone else if you can't love yourself?" Journal all the things you truly love about yourself.
- Use humor. A good laugh might be greater than a good orgasm . . . or not. But at least you can do that in public. Anyway, see a funny play or rent the most hilarious movie.
- Don't underestimate the power of girlfriends. I came across a great quote from Gwyneth Paltrow, "The best way to mend a broken heart is time and girlfriends." Instead of meeting at a restaurant that might be filled with "smug marrieds" have a house party or potluck with all your favorite friends and foods. Rent movies you all love or are completely ironic and rent something really inappropriate for Valentine's Day like a horror movie.
- Know that life is cyclical. Every human who has truly lived has experienced heartbreak as well as those euphoric moments of falling in love. Maybe this Valentine's Day isn't going the way you want it to but next year is another year.
- Try not to fixate on finding THE ONE. Spiritual teachers Abraham Hicks believe that we can align with a million soul mates. Mom was right there are more fish in the sea.
Filed under: Valentine's Day Survival Guide
Tags: heartbreak, Valentine's Day
