Valentine’s Day Revisited

As I reflect on this past Valentine’s Day, I want to open up a conversation about emotional health. Often times when people think of health and wellness they only consider the physical side of the equation (i.e. eating healthy and working out). However, we must take the time to focus on our total health, which includes being healthy mind, body and spirit. 

I’ve spoken to so many women throughout the years about the feelings that Valentine’s Day brings about for them. I usually find that women who are single on Valentine’s Day have a difficult time coping, sometimes to the point of completely shutting themselves in, so they don’t have to face seeing others bask in their love for one another. I have to admit that I have found myself lonely and sad on Valentine’s Day while single a time or two. Then one day I came to the realization that I could be happy and complete all by myself. When this transformation took place I felt as though a great burden was immediately lifted. This is part of the reason why I feel that it is so important to learn how to love you first, instead of depending on others to validate you in this area.

An essential part of being emotionally healthy is learning how to exist in peace within your own skin and to simply enjoy being in love with you. Now I don’t mean this in a narcissistic kind of way, I am simply saying that you have to find peace and love within. We must learn to accept ourselves for who we are and not allow external factors, such as seeing happy couples on Valentines-Day to have a negative impact on our emotional well-being.

Once you tap into complete inner joy and peace, you will find yourself in a position to face any holiday head on, single or not! Having said that, I hope to see you around the neighborhood with emotional wellness in tow!

Shonte’ Press is founder of S. Press Enterprise and Saved M.O.M. If you would like more information on health and wellness, check out www.spressonline.com. If you would like more information on parenting, check out www.savedmom.com. You can also stay connected at www.twitter.com/spressonline, www.facebook.com/spressonline and www.twitter.com/savedmom.