As Valentine’s Day approaches, we are all bombarded with images of romance, relationships and love. Starting in early January, it seems like every business has something to sell related to romance and is trying to capitalize on and add to the societal pressure created to make February 14th a magical day. For those people who are in love, Valentine’s Day can be a wonderful, memorable celebration but for people who are alone, it can be a difficult, endless day.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, negative feelings about being alone may seem unavoidable; sad thoughts and even depression are common occurrences around this holiday. Here are some ideas to help you feel less alone and hopefully, not as sad during Valentine’s Day this year. Before you know it, February 15th will arrive.

Help someone.

Volunteering or doing a good deed can help you feel better about yourself. Even simple acts like visiting a nursing home or doing a favor for a friend can help boost your self-esteem and result in feeling less lonely.

Call someone from your past that you’ve thought about reconnecting with.

Valentine’s Day can be a great excuse to pick up the phone. Think about someone you have been meaning to call and call him or her. They will be so happy you called.

Invite friends and family over.

Surround yourself with people you care about and who care about you. There is nothing like being with others you enjoy being with to make you feel less alone.

Pamper yourself.

Do something you love to do – see a movie, go to a spa, have a gourmet dinner, or go bowling. Whatever it is that you enjoy doing, Valentine’s Day can be a great day to do it.

Do something you’ve always wanted to do but have never done.

Did you want to test drive a sports car, try a new exercise class, go white water rafting for the first time? Valentine’s Day is great excuse to do something or plan something you have always wanted to try doing.

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Kira Copperman

Kira B. Copperman, LMSW, is the President of KBC Consulting, a boutique health-care consulting firm that specializes in helping physicians, dentists, and hospitals improve their frontline customer service. Prior to KBC Consulting, she was the Practice Manager for a large fertility center in Manhattan entitled Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York (RMA of New York). While at RMA of New York, her experience with patients dealing with the emotional side effects that can accompany infertility had a profound effect on her and was one of the main reasons she created KBC Consulting. Ms. Copperman is also a published author and presenter on topics relating to healthcare. Her research was recently featured in The Journal of Women’s Health and OB/GYN News and her articles have appeared on webmd.com and parenting.com. Ms Copperman has presented at numerous national conferences on topics relating to customer service and patient satisfaction. Ms. Copperman was a member of the board of RESOLVE, the national infertility support organization, from 2005 until 2007. In 2006, Ms. Copperman was honored by RESOLVE at their annual gala with the “Friend of RESOLVE” award because of her dedication and commitment to the organization. Kira B. Copperman, LMSW, received her social work degree from New York University. Ms. Copperman appeared on the radio show “Healing the Grieving Heart” with Dr. Gloria & Dr. Heidi Horsley to discuss “Healing after Miscarriage & Infertility.” To hear Kira being interviewed on this show, go to the following link: https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/34608/healing-after-miscarriage-and-infertility

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