This February, Valentine’s Day is going to look a little different thanks to social distancing and other guidelines intended to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Just because you can’t go out for a romantic meal and a movie,  doesn’t mean you can’t still have a blast celebrating the day of love! Whether you live with your family, your partner, friends, or solo, there’s something on this list for everyone. 

Have a Paint Night

Get in touch with your creative side and bust out the paintbrushes for an evening of relaxation. Art has long been celebrated as one of the great healers of mental health. In fact, artistic practices such as painting have been shown to help stave off mental decline and increase emotional resilience. So pick a festive theme and paint alongside your household or you can all paint something that’s uniquely yours! 

Bake with Your Family

For most people, one of the best parts about Valentine’s Day is the sweet treats they get to eat. Instead of buying from the store this year, consider spending the afternoon baking a delicious dessert with your family. Baking offers a great place to get creative, try out new skills, and build family bonds, especially if you have young children at home. You might even start a new tradition that continues for years and years to come.

Make Valentine’s Day Cards

Back in elementary school, Valentine’s Day often meant giving and receiving stacks of cards from your classmates. Store bought cards can be gorgeous, but you can bring back some of the magic of childhood and add a personal touch by taking the time to make your own Valentine’s Day cards for friends and family this year. Studies have also shown that writing letters to loved ones can help to boost your mood and make stress easier to handle, so break out the cardstock and glue sticks!

Give Yourself a Spa Day

Whether you live by yourself or in a house full of people, it’s important to take the time to refill your own cup. This might mean giving yourself a relaxing spa day, filled with bubble baths, scented candles, and maybe some soothing music. Even if you just take a few hours, spending time alone to show yourself some love can help you clear your mind and revitalize your body.

Do a Romantic Movie Marathon

What better way to celebrate the day of love than by watching uplifting romantic movies? Movies can give us time for some much-needed escapism and break from our daily responsibilities. You can watch old favorites or venture out and find new movies; whatever gets you in the spirit of Valentine’s Day. 

Play Some Board Games

Playing is an important part of how we build connections as human beings and we often forget to play as we grow older. On top of facilitating social interactions, playing can help to fight depression and stress, all while stimulating your mind and boosting creativity. Put your mind to the test with games like Scrabble and chess or get fun and silly by playing Pictionary or charades. Whether it’s just you and your partner or the whole family on a virtual call, there’s bound to be a game out there that will appeal to everyone. 

Learn a Dance with Your Partner

If you’ve always wanted to learn how to dance, now is the perfect time! Grab your partner, get a YouTube tutorial set up, and spend an hour trying something new together. Even if you don’t become an expert at dancing, you’ll have spent some quality time together and hopefully gotten in a good sweat which can boost your endorphins and put you in a great mood. 

However you choose to spend your Valentine’s Day, make sure to keep yourself and others safe by practice social distancing. And if you need extra support, Jefferson Center is always here for you! You can review our list of services here and find a therapist who can meet your unique needs by calling our main line at 303-425-0300.

If you are in a crisis, please call us at 303-425-0300 or by calling the crisis line at 844-493-8255. The 24/7 crisis walk-in center and withdrawal management program is open at 4643 Wadsworth Blvd, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033.