Valentine’s Day can be a difficult day. For those who are single, it can be a day where that “singleness” becomes all the more apparent. Being single can be especially hard to sit with when messages of love are all around. For those in a relationship, there can be a feeling of pressure to come up with a grand gesture to show your love for your significant other. For some, it can be a time of realizing the relationship they are in is not a happy or healthy one.
In addition to this, much like any other holiday we celebrate, there are specific foods and food messages that tend to be emphasized today. For example, in addition to the pressure to be coupled with someone and be in love, who doesn’t think about sugar when they think about Valentine’s Day? Sugar is certainly not the evil substance it as portrayed as in the media (that’s a story for another blog post), but it certainly can be easy to fall into eating sugary foods without actually craving them on a day like today. Sugar is everywhere and often seen as part of celebrating Valentine’s Day.
If you are craving sweet treats today, have at it! That said, if you find yourself eating those sugary treats today simply because “it’s Valentine’s Day” it might be time to take a pause. Think about how you are really feeling and what might truly satisfy you in the moment. Maybe you will find that you are actually feeling lonely and calling a friend to chat or planning to meet up with them today is what you are really craving. Maybe what you are really needing is to spend some time with your significant other today. Maybe it really is that chocolate bar that will hit the spot. Regardless of the answer you get, taking that pause and really connecting with your body allows you to connect with what would really satisfy you in the moment and break out of eating food you aren’t enjoying simply because it’s a holiday and it seems like the thing to do.
I want to end this post with a reminder. You are worthy just as you are. Not when you get to a certain weight, find a relationship, or accomplish that big goal. Right now as you are. Valentine’s Day can be a day where this is hard to remember but it is as true today as it is any other day of the year.
Questions about holiday eating or anything else food/body image related? Please feel free to get in touch!