In 2019, the Washington Post reported new statistics related to love and relationships conducted by the General Social Survey. It showed that over half of all adults in the United States are…drum roll…single! That’s right, with all the love and relationships that are shown on television and in movies, surprisingly, over half (51%) of adults aged 18-34 do not have a steady romantic partner. In addition, the median age of people getting married is for women, 28, and for men, 31. That’s about a 4-year difference from the median age to get married in 2010.

The Joys of Being Single

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With Valentine’s day celebrated every 14th of February, romantic comedies and movies prevalent, and social media promoting power couples, you might be wondering why so many people are still single or even choose to not be in a relationship. The answer is simple: being single rules! In fact, scientific studies have shown that being single is great not just for your physical health, but also for your emotional and psychological health as well. For example, according to a study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family, divorced people get more exercise than married people, and people who have always been single get more exercise than those who have been married or in a relationship. In addition, being single gives you time to heal past traumas, instead of jumping into toxic relationships again and again. This is known in psychology as repetition compulsion, and it can wear you out emotionally.

Having Fun While Single

Though you might think you can only have fun while being out with someone else, on the contrary, the repetition of going out with your significant other can become mundane. Sure it’s comfortable being with someone else, but being single allows you to treat yourself to nights out on the town or move nights without having to worry what a partner is feeling or if they’re tired. A relationship involves care from both parties, and if you aren’t feeling ready to commit your nights out to your partner, being single is a great option while you explore your new city, state, or even school.

Learning to be Happy Alone

Not only is being able to treat yourself to a good time alone important to have fun in life, but it’s also the building block for any relationship. If you don’t take the time to learn to treat yourself to a night out every once in a while, or how to enjoy your own company, this can wreak havoc on your future relationship. You can’t expect your partner to do all the hard work of planning dates, showing you a good time, or even making you happy. This creates an imbalance, co-dependency, and in the long run, makes you attached to your partner and dependent on them for validation. This is why it’s important to learn how to validate and have confidence in yourself first, before going on to a relationship. Take the time to treat yourself to self-care, emotional relaxation, and overall self-happiness. It’s easier than you think, and worth it in the long run. If you don’t know where to start, below are 15 tips to help you get started on loving yourself, and being happy alone, all day every day!

1. Spa-Day

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What does a spa day consist of, if not relaxation? Visiting spas is an amazing way to recharge, reconnect with yourself, and be pampered for a day. Treat yourself to a spa day this coming Valentine’s, or any day of the week for that matter! Hot spa treatments open up your skin’s pores, allowing your body to ward off toxins, and also encourage the body to burn calories at the same time!

2. Massage Treatment

Massage treatments can range from shiatsu massages to hot stone massages, and everything in between. Either way, if you treat yourself to massage treatment, it’s a sure way to relax, unwind, and lessen tension in your muscles. Tension in the muscles builds up from holding in stress, and also leads to increased blood pressure. Massages can help lower blood pressure, stress, and tension.

3. Professional Facial

Facials are one of the most amazing ways to boost confidence, develop healthy skin, and get rid of toxins you might not even be aware you had. Many facial spas are now using advanced technology, such as a cryo facial device to burn off unwanted fat, reverse the effects of aging, and tighten skin. Who doesn’t want to look younger?

4. Care for your Smile

Routine self-care is one of the best ways to maintain your happiness and overall health. This is especially true for self-care routines we might easily forget about, such as dental hygiene! It’s important to treat yourself to dental hygiene care every night, including using clear teeth straighteners even if you’ve had your braces already removed. Simple flossing, using mouthwash, and even brushing your teeth are all also part of routine hygiene that should be done daily. Maintaining your beautiful smiles is one of the best ways to remain confident, happy, and totally loving yourself!

5. Professional Hair-Removal

It’s easy to pull out a cheap razor and begin trying to do your own hair-removal. However, sometimes the help of a waxing salon is needed to help ensure your hair doesn’t grow back for at least a couple of weeks. It’s a hassle having to constantly shave skin, whether it’s your legs, underarms, or bikini areas, and over time can toughen your skin and even create scars and cuts. With the help of professional waxers, you can feel pampered and also save time on your daily beauty routine by cutting out shaving hair and shaping your eyebrows.

6. Jacuzzi Night

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Hosting a movie or jacuzzi night is one of the many date night ideas couples use. However, jacuzzi nights alone are just as fun! Treat yourself to a night of fun inside of the hot tub. Hot tubs are a great way to relax your muscles, de-stress and lower your blood pressure, and help you relax whether it’s a summer or winter night. If you don’t have enough money to treat yourself to a hot tub at home, try visiting your local spa or even booking a trip to a luxury resort or hotel.

7. Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery can seem like a big decision to make, and it is, but it can also change your life for the better. Plastic surgery can help fix visible issues such as scars, deviated or broken noses, and even diminish the look of wrinkles. Sometimes, plastic surgery can be the best decision to treat yourself to. In addition, getting help from a cosmetic dentist can help you fix underbites, overbites, gaps in your teeth, and also overcrowding using different treatment methods such as invisalign treatment. This can also greatly improve your self-confidence, and also fix uncomfortable issues.

8. Shopping Trip

Who says you need someone to tell you your outfits are perfect? Treat yourself to a solo shopping trip! Shopping trips are a great way to pick out new clothes for a new style, splurge, and feel pampered all on your own. In fact, if you’ve been saving up money for a shopping trip, consider a big purchase that can benefit and improve your life. For instance, save money to put a down payment on a home or condo. You can also purchase one of 4.7 million vehicles sold in 2019, and use your savings to buy a new car to get to and from work! Shopping and buying things to benefit your life is a great way to feel confident and continue your journey toward self-empowerment and independence.

9. Camping

If you’re an experienced outdoors person, or even if you’re a beginning hiker or camper, a solo camping trip can be the experience of a lifetime. A solo camping trip can help you feel empowered and ready to take on the world by challenging yourself to face the elements and reset in the great and beautiful outdoors. It’s important you have all the important gear you’ll need to take with you on a camping trip. Consider shopping online for the gear you’ll need, such as an all-weather jacket, boots, tents, and even self-defense items. Parcel shipping can help you get all your gear to your door and save you money as well.

10. Spiritual Retreat

You might think that if you treat yourself to a spiritual retreat, it means having to give up a normal life and join a cult. On the contrary, a spiritual retreat can be an amazing experience if you feel you need another avenue or outlet to process emotional healing. Spirituality can affect our lives every day in how we act, how we feel, and even how we view the afterlife and hold together our values. Consider going on a spiritual retreat to recharge in any way you see fit or excites you. A spiritual retreat can also be a great way to get away from everyday life and change who you are as a person.

11. Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy has been used since ancient types to help de-stress people and lower anxiety levels. Certain fragrances, such as eucalyptus and lavender, have been shown to even be effective at lowering the aggression of big cats such as lions and tigers! Aromatherapy can be done at a spa, or at home using the help of an oil diffuser and a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Crystal rock therapy has also been a hot topic, and many believe in the power of crystals to help them heal. Custom made jewelry can be made from custom stones and gems to help promote healing. In combination, aromatherapy and crystal healing can be other avenues that can help you de-stress and practice self-care.

12. Professional Skin Care

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It seems everyone nowadays has their own personal skin care routine. However, everyone’s skin is different, and it takes a professional’s help, such as a dermatologist, to let you know what products might work for your skin, and which can cause irritation and further issues. By getting professional skin care, you can be sure to feel pampered and also look younger and have a brighter glow!

13. Solo Cruise

Going on a cross-country journey is shown as the way most protagonists in movies are able to find themselves and heal after a bad breakup, leaving to go to college, or face some other crisis. Though it’s true cross-country trips are fun, if you want to relax, it can be a bit of a chore. Why not take a solo cruise to have even more fun and treat yourself to an adventure around the coast? Cruise ships offer an amazing experience for you if you’re interested in looking at different countries while having the commodities of a room with gorgeous views, good food, and social interactions all in one place. Consider going on a vacation cruise to Cancun, or even Alaska. You won’t be disappointed!

14. Fine Dining

Treat yourself to a fine dining experience and dinner date all on your own! Who needs to share dinner meals? You can have a fine dining experience by hitting up and making a reservation for one at the best restaurant in town. You can even experience the greatness of a chef-inspired full course meal by yourself, and have just as much fun as with a partner. In addition, you can even experience dining in a community environment, such as a restaurant with shared tables and seating if you want to mingle with other guests while enjoying your dinner.

15. Exercise

You might not think of exercise as a way to treat yourself to a stress-free day. On the contrary, countless research has shown that one of the best ways to reduce stress is to get routine exercise every day of the week. Exercise has countless benefits, from promoting weight loss, boost confidence, and overall health.