Beat Loneliness on Valentine's Day

With Valentine's Day falling on a Sunday in 2010, and on a holiday weekend for some, it will be easier to avoid for those of use who are single. For those who are recently single or depressed about still being single, these are some tips on how to beat loneliness on V-day.

The best plan of action, if being alone will truly affect you on Valentine's Day, is to plan ahead of time to reduce anxiety and depression when the day actually comes. This holiday can be especially upsetting for those who have recently lost a spouse or partner. Let loved ones know how you feel about the upcoming holiday and allow them to support you.

Try doing something good for someone else. Whether it's adopting a cat from an animal shelter, visiting an orphanage, or volunteering for a non-profit (like The Red Cross) you won't have time to wallow in your pain when you are focused on helping someone else. You will also emerge from the day feeling better about yourself.

Celebrate singledom. There are many advantages to being single, such as not having to answer to anyone else, not having to compromise on everything from home decor to dining options and dating can be a lot of fun! Gather some single friends and go out to a bar, club, or a quiet evening at the movies or have dinner. Many local bars and clubs offer deals and hold events for singles. You might want to try seeking out singles clubs in your area and seeing what they have planned. Many times single groups have events like game night, pot lucks, etc... According to a survey of 3,000 people Valentine's Day is actually the third holiday that people feel most depressed about being single (after Christmas and New Year's Eve), so things aren't that bad!

If your amount of single friends is dwindling, take the money you saved by not having to buy a partner a gift and spend it on yourself! Go to the spa for a day of pampering or a massage or indulge in some retail therapy at the mall (bonus: your are also helping the struggling economy).

Have your non-single friends set you up on a blind date. They can be fun and what's the worst case scenario? You get a meal at a nice restaurant. You never know!

Go to the gym. If your stressing over a recent break up take out your aggression at your gym and work on getting your bod in shape for future dates with better men/women who are more compatible.