Valentine’s Day Can Be Stressful for Teens

Although Valentine’s Day is a happy time for many teenagers, it can also be incredibly stressful. Social media often adds to this pressure with its expectations and “relationship statuses.” Many people feel obligated to find someone for Valentine’s Day, which can cause stress. Few want to be alone on Valentine’s Day, feeling lonely scrolling through an Instagram feed full of cutesy pictures of their friends with their beaus. Often for teens, pressures to find someone can distract them from more important things, such as schoolwork or friends. Often, they lose track of what’s important because they are so wrapped up in their need to be with someone for Valentine’s Day.
Stress isn’t the only emotion teens feel; they often feel embarrassment. For instance, many schools have a secret valentine program or sell candy-grams, which are candy or cards students purchase from their schools and send to friends or significant others, sometimes anonymously. These often turn into popularity contests, leaving people embarrassed when everyone gets something except for them. Being in high school is a lot tougher around this time. When one person sees that you didn’t get anything on Valentine’s Day, everyone finds out in a matter of minutes due to social media sites. To avoid this social nightmare, kids are forced to go looking for someone. Sometimes gifts are exchanged among friends, but for many it just doesn’t compare to the feeling you get when you find someone to love and who loves you back.
If you find this article describes you, don’t worry. You can fix things. If you are alone, you could invite over other single people and have a game or movie night. If that’s not you, try babysitting. Many parents are going
to want to go out on a romantic date somewhere and not take their kids. Not only is babysitting a way to not be alone, but you could make money to use next year if you are in a couple. And as for schools that are trying to make Valentine’s Day easier on students, consider emailing students if they received something, that way they could privately pick it up any time during the day.
So when February 14 comes around, don’t stress. Whether you’re spending it alone or with a loved one, you can relax. Here’s to a happy, stress-free Valentine’s Day!