{"id":16425,"date":"2022-02-11T20:51:28","date_gmt":"2022-02-11T18:51:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/?p=16425"},"modified":"2022-03-10T18:03:56","modified_gmt":"2022-03-10T16:03:56","slug":"valentines-day-anxiety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/blog\/valentines-day-anxiety\/","title":{"rendered":"Valentine&#8217;s Day Anxiety: Don&#8217;t Let Love Get You Down"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>Valentine&#8217;s Day anxiety: many of us struggle with it &#8211; regardless of whether we&#8217;re in a relationship or not. This year, don&#8217;t let expectations, comparisons, and self-doubt get you down. Follow these simple tips to prevent getting stressed out, worried, or lonely.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Valentine\u2019s Day &#8211; that one day of the year dedicated entirely to romantic love. As much as it\u2019s a time for intimacy for some, for others, it may be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/blog\/intense-emotions-introduction\/\">overwhelming<\/a>, or even awkward. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-95-1-1024x632.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16433\" width=\"512\" height=\"316\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-95-1-1024x632.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-95-1-300x185.png 300w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-95-1-768x474.png 768w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-95-1-1536x947.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-95-1-2048x1263.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-95-1-2000x1234.png 2000w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-95-1-1500x925.png 1500w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-95-1-1000x617.png 1000w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-95-1-800x493.png 800w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-95-1-750x463.png 750w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-95-1-617x381.png 617w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-95-1-600x370.png 600w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-95-1-150x93.png 150w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-95-1-500x308.png 500w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-95-1-400x247.png 400w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-95-1-247x152.png 247w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-95-1-110x68.png 110w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Societal and personal expectations can mean that we place high demands on ourselves and our partners; and sometimes, we may feel like it\u2019s impossible to live up to them. And that\u2019s if we\u2019re in a relationship. For the singletons out there, Valentine&#8217;s Day can be that dagger-in-the-heart-shaped-box reminder that we haven\u2019t met our match yet.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And to heap insult onto injury, an insecure <a href=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/blog\/four-attachment-styles\/\">attachment style<\/a> can heighten Valentine\u2019s Day anxiety. You may be feeling low about not having a special-someone to celebrate with; or &#8211; if you are in a relationship &#8211; may be worrying about how serious you should take this holiday. <em>Does your partner expect a gift? Or is the relationship too immature just yet? Or what if you buy the wrong present, and ruin a fledgling romance?&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>This Valentine&#8217;s Day, we\u2019re going to try to relieve some of your burden by providing a \u201csurvival guide\u201d on how to get through the potentially most divisive holiday of the year &#8211; whether you\u2019re in a relationship or not.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"valentine-s-day-anxiety-tips-for-people-in-relationships\">Valentine&#8217;s Day Anxiety Tips for People in Relationships<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Being in a relationship on Valentine&#8217;s Day can be great: it&#8217;s your opportunity to demonstrate your commitment, rekindle the spark, or repair the damage from a lingering argument. But it can also be highly stressful considering the expectations that accompany the day, from giving the \u201cperfect\u201d gift to making the day special for your loved one.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are a couple of suggestions to <strong>ease Valentine\u2019s Day anxiety for those of us in relationships<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-96-1-1-1024x862.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16435\" width=\"453\" height=\"382\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-96-1-1-1024x862.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-96-1-1-300x253.png 300w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-96-1-1-768x647.png 768w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-96-1-1-1536x1293.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-96-1-1-2048x1724.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-96-1-1-2000x1684.png 2000w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-96-1-1-1500x1263.png 1500w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-96-1-1-1000x842.png 1000w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-96-1-1-800x674.png 800w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-96-1-1-750x631.png 750w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-96-1-1-617x519.png 617w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-96-1-1-600x505.png 600w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-96-1-1-150x126.png 150w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-96-1-1-500x421.png 500w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-96-1-1-400x337.png 400w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-96-1-1-247x208.png 247w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-96-1-1-110x93.png 110w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 453px) 100vw, 453px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"don-t-stress-too-much-over-gifts\">Don\u2019t stress too much over gifts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Gift-giving is an essential part of Valentine\u2019s Day &#8211; or is it? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For weeks, we are bombarded with advertisements about gifts, most of which are saccharinely heart-shaped or over-priced. And with the huge variety of choices available, many people experience Valentine&#8217;s Day anxiety over what to buy &#8211; in fact, too many options can lead to mental paralysis and anxiety [1]. There\u2019s a risk of being excessive with the amount you spend or giving the impression that you don\u2019t care if you don\u2019t spend enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Our advice is simple. Don\u2019t stress.<\/strong> Chat with your partner about your shared expectations and budget for gifts. Also, you could make the day personal for them. For example, if your budget is tight, cook them a meal instead of going out for dinner; or make them a card instead of buying one. If your partner cares about you, they will appreciate your effort. At the end of the day, we\u2019re our own harshest critics [2], so your partner probably won\u2019t put your efforts under the same scrutiny as you do. The most important gift that we can give is time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"don-t-let-comparisons-get-you-down\">Don&#8217;t let comparisons get you down<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Unfortunately, Valentine\u2019s Day anxiety is often caused by competition between friends and couples &#8211; intentional or not.<\/strong> With social media, advertisements, and window displays constantly reminding us that our gifts reflect our commitment, it\u2019s easy to feel inferior in comparison to the idea of the \u201cperfect\u201d relationship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>But by allowing ourselves to become distracted by what others may think about us, we deplete our mental resources regarding what our partners might appreciate on the day.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Furthermore, if you have an insecure attachment, Valentine\u2019s Day may feed your insecurities about not living up to expectations. Focus your attention on the meaningful rituals between yourself and your partner &#8211; if you enjoy a certain musician, then buy your partner a record. If you share a favorite movie, then spend the evening watching it. Don\u2019t let the comparison effect ruin what could otherwise be a special occasion for you both.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>At the same time, don\u2019t put excessive expectations on your partner: try not to read too much into everything they do, and appreciate that they may show their affection uniquely and individually.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-97-1-1024x632.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16436\" width=\"768\" height=\"474\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-97-1-1024x632.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-97-1-300x185.png 300w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-97-1-768x474.png 768w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-97-1-1536x948.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-97-1-2048x1264.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-97-1-2000x1235.png 2000w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-97-1-1500x926.png 1500w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-97-1-1000x617.png 1000w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-97-1-800x494.png 800w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-97-1-750x463.png 750w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-97-1-617x381.png 617w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-97-1-600x370.png 600w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-97-1-150x93.png 150w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-97-1-500x309.png 500w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-97-1-400x247.png 400w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-97-1-247x152.png 247w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-97-1-110x68.png 110w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"valentine-s-day-anxiety-tips-for-singles\">Valentine&#8217;s Day Anxiety Tips for Singles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Let\u2019s face it &#8211; being single on Valentine\u2019s Day can be a bit of a struggle.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No matter how hard you try, it\u2019s impossible to avoid feeling like you\u2019re being bombarded by images of happy couples, targeted advertisements, and sentimental music playing in every shop or restaurant. But there are ways in which you could make the most of the day in your own way:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"go-out-with-your-friends\">Go out with your friends<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If Valentine\u2019s Day anxiety is a bit of a sore subject for you for a personal reason (e.g., a recent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/blog\/heartbroken-6-tips-to-cope-with-a-breakup\/\">break-up<\/a>), spending the day alone may not be the best course of action. Maybe arrange to see friends, take a day trip to somewhere interesting or unique, go for dinner and drinks, or engage in some retail therapy. Many places offer discounts on Valentine\u2019s Day &#8211; and being in a romantic relationship surely isn\u2019t a prerequisite for taking advantage of them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Spending time with friends is incredibly beneficial for our happiness and mental health, and it also provides many physical and mental benefits. Our social support networks bolster us when we\u2019re feeling low by boosting our self-confidence [4]. They also provide us with a much-needed sense of belonging [5]. In fact, our friends just make us happy in general [6]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So <strong>take advantage of that on February 14, and celebrate the non-romantic relationships that make your life special.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-98-1-1024x795.png\" alt=\"Man battling Valentine's Day anxiety\" class=\"wp-image-16437\" width=\"453\" height=\"352\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-98-1-1024x795.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-98-1-300x233.png 300w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-98-1-768x596.png 768w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-98-1-1536x1193.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-98-1-2048x1590.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-98-1-2000x1553.png 2000w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-98-1-1500x1165.png 1500w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-98-1-1000x777.png 1000w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-98-1-800x621.png 800w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-98-1-750x582.png 750w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-98-1-617x479.png 617w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-98-1-600x466.png 600w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-98-1-150x116.png 150w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-98-1-500x388.png 500w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-98-1-400x311.png 400w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-98-1-247x192.png 247w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-98-1-110x85.png 110w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 453px) 100vw, 453px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"take-a-day-to-yourself\">Take a day to yourself<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>While everything and everyone tries to convince you that you need someone special on Valentine\u2019s Day, go against the grain and dedicate the holiday to yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Make this Valentine\u2019s Day a day for self-care<\/strong>: take a bubble bath, read a book, pop a bottle of prosecco &#8211; do whatever makes you happy. And if you want to treat yourself to a nice dinner in a restaurant &#8211; do it. The past stigma about dining in public alone is history. So forget about Valentine&#8217;s Day anxiety and enjoy the fact that your own company is way more interesting and liberating than the forced conversations that many other diners will be experiencing that night.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Furthermore,<strong> there is no wrong way to practice self-care<\/strong>. Maybe learn something new, volunteer in your community, or reach out to someone you haven\u2019t heard from in a while. Well-practiced self-care can bring enormous benefits to your life and mental health, especially after the challenging times we are all living through [7]. This Valentine&#8217;s Day, dedicate your time to yourself and your well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"avoid-social-media\">Avoid social media<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-101-1-1-1024x938.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16461\" width=\"344\" height=\"316\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-101-1-1-1024x938.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-101-1-1-300x275.png 300w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-101-1-1-768x703.png 768w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-101-1-1-1536x1407.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-101-1-1-2048x1876.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-101-1-1-2000x1832.png 2000w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-101-1-1-1500x1374.png 1500w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-101-1-1-1000x916.png 1000w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-101-1-1-800x733.png 800w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-101-1-1-750x687.png 750w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-101-1-1-617x565.png 617w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-101-1-1-600x549.png 600w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-101-1-1-150x137.png 150w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-101-1-1-500x458.png 500w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-101-1-1-400x366.png 400w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-101-1-1-247x226.png 247w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-101-1-1-110x101.png 110w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 344px) 100vw, 344px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Social media can be damaging to our mental health at the best of times [8]. It can also generate the fear of missing out &#8211; or FOMO &#8211; on Valentine\u2019s Day when we\u2019re most susceptible to lovey-dovey pictures and messages from couples on our media feeds. Essentially, if you\u2019re single on Valentine\u2019s Day, it can be a bad time to be active online. It\u2019s too easy to feel like we\u2019re missing out on something important, which can cause us to feel inadequate and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/blog\/attachment-styles-emotional-needs-and-loneliness\/\">lonely<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>To prevent Valentine\u2019s Day anxiety, just log off and avoid social media. <\/strong>Instead of mulling over the public facades that most people post, try to spend meaningful time with friends and family. If you can\u2019t tune out entirely, then just skip past the romantic posts and screen Valentine\u2019s Day-related hashtags.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You could even decide to make this Valentine\u2019s Day the beginning of a new relationship with social media; the start of a digital detox that could lead to spending less of your time online and more among your friends and family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"take-home-message-beating-valentine-s-day-anxiety\">Take-Home Message: Beating Valentine&#8217;s Day Anxiety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Although Valentine\u2019s Day can be a wonderful time of the year, it can just as easily be a time of stress, inner turmoil, and anxiety.<\/strong> This year, try to let go of your pre-set expectations and enjoy the day for what it should be &#8211; a day to celebrate and spend meaningful time with the one(s) you love.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And if you\u2019re single, dedicate February 14th to yourself. Focus on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/All-superpowers-3-sep-2021.pdf\">positives about yourself<\/a>, such as how hard you work, how caring you are, and what a good friend you can be. Make it a day for celebrating who you are as a person through self-care &#8211; whatever that may mean to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Remember &#8211; one single day won&#8217;t define the rest of your year. <\/strong>So, act from the heart, and do your best to enjoy Valentine&#8217;s Day in whatever way works best for you and your circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/aung-soe-min-f6UX-It1N7g-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"References for Beating Valentine's Day Anxiety\" class=\"wp-image-16432\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/aung-soe-min-f6UX-It1N7g-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/aung-soe-min-f6UX-It1N7g-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/aung-soe-min-f6UX-It1N7g-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/aung-soe-min-f6UX-It1N7g-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/aung-soe-min-f6UX-It1N7g-unsplash-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/aung-soe-min-f6UX-It1N7g-unsplash-2000x1333.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/aung-soe-min-f6UX-It1N7g-unsplash-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/aung-soe-min-f6UX-It1N7g-unsplash-750x500.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/aung-soe-min-f6UX-It1N7g-unsplash-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/aung-soe-min-f6UX-It1N7g-unsplash-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/aung-soe-min-f6UX-It1N7g-unsplash-110x73.jpg 110w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\" id=\"references\">References<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.paid.2009.01.007\">[1]<\/a> Dar-Nimrod, I., Rawn, C., Lehman, D.R., &amp; Schwartz, B. (2009). The Maximization Paradox: The costs of seeking alternatives. <em>Personality and Individual Differences, 46<\/em>, 631-635. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1037\/\/0022-3514.81.1.44\">[2]<\/a> Savitsky, K., Epley, N., &amp; Gilovich, T. (2001). Do others judge us as harshly as we think? Overestimating the impact of our failures, shortcomings, and mishaps. <em>Journal of personality and social psychology, 81<\/em>(1), 44\u201356. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0191886914000555?via%3Dihub\">[3]<\/a> Chopik, W. J., Wardecker, B. M., &amp; Edelstein, R. S. (2014). Be Mine: Attachment avoidance predicts perceptions of relationship functioning on Valentine\u2019s Day. <em>Personality and Individual Differences, 63<\/em>, 47\u201352. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.0124609\">[4]<\/a> Jetten, J., Branscombe, N. R., Haslam, S. A., Haslam, C., Cruwys, T., Jones, J. M., Cui, L., Dingle, G., Liu, J., Murphy, S., Thai, A., Walter, Z., &amp; Zhang, A. (2015). Having a Lot of a Good Thing: Multiple Important Group Memberships as a Source of Self-Esteem. <em>PLOS ONE, 10<\/em>(5), e0124609. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/00332747.2015.1015867\">[5]<\/a> Fisher, L. B., Overholser, J. C., Ridley, J., Braden, A., &amp; Rosoff, C. (2015). From the Outside Looking In: Sense of Belonging, Depression, and Suicide Risk. <em>Psychiatry, 78<\/em>(1), 29\u201341. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/journals.plos.org\/plosone\/article?id=10.1371\/journal.pone.0217264\">[6]<\/a> Lin, S., Faust, L., Robles-Granda, P., Kajdanowicz, T., &amp; Chawla, N. V. (2019). Social network structure is predictive of health and wellness. <em>PLOS ONE, 14<\/em>(6), e0217264. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpubh.2021.803815\">[7]<\/a> Gavurova, B., Popesko, B., Ivankova, V., &amp; Rigelsky, M. (2022). The Role of Self-Care Activities (SASS-14) in Depression (PHQ-9): Evidence From Slovakia During the COVID-19 Pandemic. <em>Frontiers in Public Health, 9<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.7759\/cureus.8627\">[8]<\/a> Karim, F., Oyewande, A. A., Abdalla, L. F., Chaudhry Ehsanullah, R., &amp; Khan, S. (2020). Social Media Use and Its Connection to Mental Health: A Systematic Review. <em>Cureus, 12<\/em>(6), e8627. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This year, don&#8217;t let expectations, comparisons, and self-doubt get you down. Follow these simple tips to prevent getting stressed out, worried, or lonely.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":16426,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[103,16],"tags":[70,102,21,107],"class_list":["post-16425","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-emotion-regulation","category-psychology","tag-anxious","tag-emotion-regulation","tag-relationships","tag-valentines-day"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Valentine&#039;s Day Anxiety: Don&#039;t Let Love Get You Down<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Get through Valentine&#039;s Day stress-free! 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