Valentine’s Day is almost here, and love is in the air – along with the scent of overpriced roses and the lingering aroma of high expectations for romance, connection, and passionate sex.

Overall, many adults have negative feelings about Valentine’s Day. One survey indicated that about a quarter of adults (23%) felt a mix of loneliness, disappointment, annoyance, stress, and nervousness on this supposedly romantic occasion (Thayer, 2018). Research from a sexual wellness brand, Love Honey, found that, even though Valentine’s Day is supposed to be the most romantic day of the year, only about a third of survey respondents said they actually celebrate Valentine’s Day by having sex. The survey also found that as many as 39% of respondents said sex isn’t something they do to celebrate this occasion. Findings from another survey by We-Vibe included that, while 88% of Americans believe Valentine's Day must be celebrated, 61% of them are annoyed by it and 63% are uncertain of what their partner's expectations are for the holiday. Furthermore, 56% of Americans are disappointed that past Valentine's Days haven’t lived up to their expectations.

If you or your partner fall within these statistics, and Valentine’s Day feels more like a minefield of expectations and pressure, consider trying the following suggestions this year:

Despite its focus on romantic love, Valentine’s Day can bring up anxiety, expectations, and pressure to perform on multiple levels for those in relationships.

For those not currently in a relationship, Valentine’s Day can be tough. So, instead of lamenting over your loneliness, flip the script and treat yourself like the royalty you are:

For those dealing with grief from a breakup, infertility, health issues, or the death of a partner, Valentine’s Day may bring about unique challenges and raw emotions.

References

Thayer, Colette. The Heart of the Matter: A Survey About Valentine's Day and Social Connections. Washington, DC: AARP Research, February 2018. https://doi.org/10.26419/res.00213.001

We-Vibe Feb 13, 2019, 12:27 ET

www.lovehoney.com

QOSHE - Taking the Sex and Romance Out of Valentine’s Day - Elizabeth A. Grill Psy. D
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Taking the Sex and Romance Out of Valentine’s Day

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30.01.2024

Valentine’s Day is almost here, and love is in the air – along with the scent of overpriced roses and the lingering aroma of high expectations for romance, connection, and passionate sex.

Overall, many adults have negative feelings about Valentine’s Day. One survey indicated that about a quarter of adults (23%) felt a mix of loneliness, disappointment, annoyance, stress, and nervousness on this supposedly romantic occasion (Thayer, 2018). Research from a sexual wellness brand, Love Honey, found that, even........

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