Valentine’s Day is a holiday that brings up all kinds of emotions whether you are new to recovery, have been on this road for sometime now, or are thinking about entering recovery. It can be a painful reminder of the strain that substance abuse can put on relationships, or for some it is a day to celebrate the love in their life that has overcome their darkest days. Regardless of whether you tear up or cringe at the endless jewelry commercials, or swoon at the sight of heart-shaped candy boxes or one look and your teeth begin to ache, the one person who can be your Valentine is yourself. Celebrate YOU This Valentine’s Day
Claim Valentine’s Day this year as a day to celebrate the love in your heart. Reach out to yourself and others with kindness to show this love. Focus on the positive energy that you can expend, and enjoy the day as an opportunity to be grateful for the love that you can give, to yourself and to others. Take some time also for yourself, you’ve come a long way to better yourself and your life. You deserve to treat yourself with extra kindness today. If you haven’t entered a recovery program yet, consider making today the day you do it.
Some ways to celebrate your love this Valentine’s Day:
- Volunteer alone or as a couple in your community.
- Bring baked goods and visit an elderly or sick neighbor.
- Send Valentine cards like you did in elementary school to your friends and family.
- Take a friend or family member out to lunch.
- Offer to babysit for friends so they can have a night out.
- Splurge on that new outfit or gadget you’ve been eying.
- Stay in and relax. If in a relationship, disconnect from technology and use the time to talk over a good meal. If single, draw a warm bath, order some fun dinner and watch a movie that inspires you.
- Reconnect with a friend you haven’t talked to in a while.
- Pamper yourself with a massage or take a fun fitness class.
- Take a friend’s dog out for a walk or to the dog park.
- Throw a dinner party.
However you choose to celebrate the day, all of us at ExecuCare wish you much love and kindness on your road to recovery.
