Five Ways to Survive Valentines Day

The time of year is here once again when commercialized love is in the air. Single people everywhere feel especially lonely on one dreadful date, February 14. Valentine's Day, also known as "Singles Awareness Day", is a scam put on by greeting card companies, floral delivery services, and the makers of those disgusting candy hearts featuring sappy declarations of affection. Whether you're single, don't buy into commercialized romance, or just feel left out this year, here are some tips to ease the pain, suffering, and candy-induced nausea this year:

1. Turn the radio off.

There's nothing better to ease a broken heart than love songs and romantic slow jams. Love songs are meant to have lovers swooning and swaying in each other's arms on the dance floor. If you don't want a reminder of this, switch your radio station or set your playlist to something fun and upbeat. While love songs aren't the way to go, don't listen to anything that will drive you into depression either.

2. Make it a night in.

All the single ladies! If you don't have any plans for the 14th, don't sit around and mope. Why not invite some friends over for a girls' night in? Movies, popcorn, board games, and good company are great ways to unwind. You can add alcohol to your get-together, provided everyone is of age, but be careful. This year, Valentine's Day falls on a Monday, so keep any drinking to a minimum.

3. Take time out for yourself.

Is there something you like to do but never seem to have time for? Set aside some time in your busy schedule to slow down and enjoy the things you like to do. Read that book you've been meaning to start, or pick up your guitar again and jam. Try to get through a pesky level of a video game that you keep dying on, or if you're a seasoned gamer, play through it again on expert mode. Do something that you love to do and relax.

4. Take care of yourself.

There's a saying that no one can love you till you love yourself. The key to this statement is confidence. An easy way to love yourself is to take care of yourself physically, which will start to affect you mentally. Start with the easy stuff. Cleaning your room or apartment will make you feel better since you won't be surrounded by a mess. Clean yourself up too; shave, shower, and if you're daring get a haircut. If you look better you'll start to feel more confident.

5. Ignore the holiday fuss.

Valentine's Day is a ridiculous excuse for a holiday. The legend of Saint Valentine tells of a Catholic priest who was executed for his faith by the Roman Empire on February 14 in approximately the year 270, A.D. According to the Catholic faith, Valentine is the patron saint of lovers and young people, but his care also extends to plagues, bee-keepers, and epilepsy. Nowadays, consumer culture has taken any meaning there was out of what used to be a religious holiday. The 14th is all about candy, gifts, greeting cards, and expensive dates. Like the Beatles said, "Money can't buy me love". Now that's sweet.