While Valentine’s Day evokes images of roses and candy for some, it triggers thoughts of societal pressure and loneliness for others.
Romantic celebrations on Friday, Feb. 14, will also be a time for coping with anxiety and depression for those without a significant other. Mental health professionals note the day is often overlooked as a source of stress on the calendar and is a prime opportunity for self-care.
“For those without romantic partners or those facing challenges in their family relationships, it’s an emotional day that also has to do with societal pressures. The day stresses a romantic love, so it can make someone feel excluded,” said Angela Harre, founder and owner of 2 Love 1 Counseling Services.
The Anxiety & Depression Association of America also cited that many may lament the day if they recently experienced a breakup or if a partner has recently passed away.
The counseling center will hold a self-care session Sunday, Feb. 16, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Those interested in attending can contact the counseling center at 915-222-0472 or 2love1.org.
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“We often suggest things that calm and relax the body, your mind to address the psychological aspect and your soul,” Harre said.
They include:
“To be alone is the physical attribute of being without another. Loneliness involves feelings of sadness and emptiness due to lack of connection or companionship. That can be the case even if they’re not physically alone,” Harre said.
Being content regardless of relationship status is more complex as that speaks to a personal and largely existential idea of happiness.
Connection with oneself and the confidence to attend events alone indicates someone is content with either with or without a partner.
“There is that mindfulness when someone can tell themselves they enjoy their own company and their own grounding to know who they are as a person,” Harre said.
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The source of profound love, the association noted, is a meaningful connection with another individual. Harre explained the age of social media makes that harder as there is less in-person interaction.
Exacerbating the situation is the severity of the melancholy felt on Valentine’s Day, which could be mild and be addressed with self-care to deal with feelings of sadness or frustration. Others could be triggered by past trauma with feelings of unworthiness or a crisis of self-esteem that needs professional counseling.
“Now it’s harder and people are trying to find genuine connection, but trying to do it through social media,” Harre said. “Many times, that’s not a genuine connection and the alternatives are things like book clubs, church services and gyms. When that happens, there is joy because people are created for that type of connection that makes us complete.”
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