Holidays can be hard for those who struggle with depression and loneliness. To someone suffering from depression, Valentine’s Day is no exception as it can bring about unrealistic expectations about relationships and an emphasis on romantic love. These negative feelings can be triggered regardless of whether a person is single or in a relationship.
The best way to manage depression on this day involves shifting your focus, aiming to be happy with what you already have, and taking the time for some self care. The importance of self care is real, so we have 5 tips to create a meaningful self care day.
1. Make a Connection
If you are feeling depressed and lonely this Valentine’s Day, there are ways that you can foster your relationships with others (not just romantic ones). Connection is a core human need that needs to be supported, whether or not we have a romantic partner to celebrate Valentine’s Day with. A self care day can be a day alone or with others. Make plans to hang out with friends, stop by and visit family, or spend time with yourself doing something you enjoy.
2. Treat Yourself
Do something you enjoy that invigorates you. Take the day to discover a new hobby that you want to invest in. Do yoga or meditate, even take a nap! Whatever it is, do something that will bring you joy. The focus is to love yourself.
3. Gift Yourself
It may seem materialistic, but buying yourself a gift is a great pick-me-up. Physical reminders of love can be greatly appreciated, even if they are from yourself. So buy yourself a box of chocolates or a pint of ice cream. Sometimes taking care of yourself is that gift. You deserve it.
4. Reflection
Self-reflection is a self-care practice that can strengthen our emotional intelligence and improve our ability to cope with challenges. To do this, make some quiet time with yourself to reflect and turn inward. In addition, this time can be used to write a gratitude list or go for a mindful walk.
5. Avoid Triggers
Try not to get sucked into watching romantic movies, listening to love songs, or endlessly scrolling social media. All of these activities can elicit sadness and make feelings of depression and loneliness worse. If you want to entertain yourself with television, try picking something where the genre is not related to Valentine’s Day. This is just one way to ensure you are taking care of yourself.
For those that are dealing with depression, it is always important to reach out for professional help. Here at VIP Ketamine Clinics, we can provide individualized ketamine treatment which is highly effective in helping those with depression reduce their symptoms. Contact us today for a free consultation and start your journey towards a happier, healthier you.
Contact VIP Ketamine Clinics