How to stay distracted (without alcohol) on your first single Valentine’s Day
Preparing for Valentine’s Day after a breakup is rough. You don’t need a partner to make it a memorable experience, but seeing everyone else with their sweethearts can make you feel left out. Stay distracted this year without alcoholic beverages by using a few strategies to stay busy, support yourself and celebrate self-love.
1. Try a new adventure
Sometimes, creating emotional highs is the best way to counter emotional lows. Go on an adventure for Valentine’s Day by doing something you’ve never done before. You could try a local yoga class, rent a paddle board or join a biking club at a nearby public trail. If you have a little adrenaline rush, you’ll boost your mental well-being and potentially discover a new passion you never would have found before.
2. Attend a Valentine’s Day event
Check your local town calendar to see if any holiday events are happening close to home. You may even find a volunteer opportunity. Attending an event would help pass the time, but donating your energy to a good cause might improve your mental health while making you feel more connected to your community. Getting involved could create the support you need to enjoy a sober holiday without feeling stressed.
3. Take yourself on a date
Loneliness can be the worst part of being single on Valentine’s Day, so avoid sitting at home by planning one or more self-care dates. Make a reservation for brunch, lunch or dinner. You might love listening to an audiobook or an uplifting podcast episode while you eat. Even if you only see a movie, you’ll celebrate yourself as much as you’d honor a partner while the holiday lasts.
4. Create a culinary feast
A box of chocolates and a bottle of wine are stereotypical Valentine’s Day gifts, but you don’t need them to have a great day. Delight your tastebuds by creating a culinary adventure instead. You could design a heart-shaped charcuterie board featuring cheese that fuels your brain with nutrients so your mood doesn’t sour. Adding your favorite foods — like mini pancakes, muffins, crackers, meats or sugary treats — will create a feast that honors the flavors you love most.
5. Check your bucket list
If you’re not ready to try something new, reflect on what you’ve wanted to do for a long time. Think about the dreams on your bucket list. This Valentine’s Day could be your chance to make one or more of them come true.
Find a hot air balloon ride near your home or visit that aquarium you’ve always wanted to see. Book a flight to the Caribbean beach that’s been on your travel Pinterest board for years. Even if you check off a smaller bucket list item — like buying your first guitar — you’ll show yourself some love without any potential stressful experiences.
6. Make a gratitude list
Love has many forms, and gratitude may be among the most powerful ways to express it. Spend your evening listing all the things you love about your life. You could note the people you adore or memories that make you feel warm and fuzzy.
Reflect on your list to surround yourself with the Valentine’s Day spirit. When you start feeling more appreciative of your life as it is, you’ll potentially reduce any depression symptoms that would otherwise make alcohol more tempting.
Plan an extra enjoyable Valentine’s Day
Alcohol might be a stereotypical part of Valentine’s Day, but you don’t need it to have a great time. Celebrate the season of love without a partner by celebrating yourself this year. Whether you enjoy an adrenaline rush, revisit your bucket list or eat something delicious at home, you’ll have some holiday fun in a way that honors what’s best for you.
Written by Mia Barnes
Mia is a freelance writer and researcher with a passion for women’s health and wellness. Mia is also the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the healthy living online publication, Body+Mind Magazine.
