By Kira B. Copperman, LMSW —

As Valentine’s Day approaches, we are all bombarded with images of romance, relationships and love.  Starting as early as January, it seems like every business has something to sell related to romance and is trying to capitalize on and add to the societal pressure created to make February 14^th a magical day.  For those people who are in love, Valentine’s Day can be a wonderful, memorable celebration but for people who are alone, it can be a difficult, endless day.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, negative feelings about being alone may seem unavoidable; sad thoughts and even depression are common occurrences around this holiday.  Here are some ideas to help you feel less alone and hopefully, not as sad during Valentine’s Day 2009.  Before you know it, February 15^th will arrive.

Help someone

Volunteering or doing a good deed can help you feel better about yourself.  Even simple acts like visiting a nursing home or doing a favor for a friend can help boost your self-esteem and result in feeling less lonely.

Call someone from your past that you’ve thought about reconnecting with.

Valentine’s Day can be a great excuse to pick up the phone.? Think about someone you have been meaning to call and call him or her.  They will be so happy you called.

Invite friends and family over

Surround yourself with people you care about and who care about you.  There is nothing like being with others you enjoy being with to make you feel less alone.

Pamper yourself

Do something you love to do – see a movie, go to a spa, have a gourmet dinner, or go bowling.  Whatever it is that you enjoy doing, Valentine’s Day can be a great day to do it.

Do something you’ve always wanted to do but have never done

Did you want to test drive a sports car, try a new exercise class, go white water rafting for the first time?  Valentine’s Day is great excuse to do something or plan something you have always wanted to try doing.

Kira B. Copperman, LMSW, is the President of KBC Consulting, a boutique healthcare consulting firm that specializes in helping physicians, dentists and hospitals improve their frontline customer service.  Prior to KBC Consulting, she was the Practice Manager for a large fertility center in Manhattan entitled Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York (RMA of New York).  While at RMA of New York, her experience with patients dealing with the emotional side effects that can accompany infertility had a profoud effect on her and was one of the main reasons she created KBC Consulting.