February 14, best known as Valentine’s Day, is just around the corner. Store aisles have been filled with heart-shaped chocolates, teddy bears, and cards since the day after Christmas. (Nothing is too high a price when it’s showing someone how important they are to you, right?)

For many people, being single on Valentine’s Day is the worst feeling. But during this holiday, it is important to remember that love doesn’t have to be toward one person, and especially not a girlfriend or boyfriend. Love can be expressed toward friends, family, classmates, and even yourself.

In the Teen Vogue article “10 Reasons Why Being Single on Valentine’s Day is the Best Thing Ever,” the author states, “In speaking with young women, there’s this growing anxiety around not just being single, but in finding a true companion. We see everyone around us nurtured in their intimate relationships and we immediately jump to feeling empty.’’ The author encourages people to love themselves by self reflecting on Valentine’s Day.

Many people post pictures of the Valentine’s gifts they’ve received or things they’re doing throughout the day. In a survey done by We Heart It, 65 percent of teens said that social media made them feel jealous or stressed out on Valentine’s Day while 36 percent said that social media made Valentine’s Day more enjoyable.

¨I just judge other people on what they get their boyfriend or girlfriend,” SFHS student Getsemani Martinez Del Toro said. “I don’t do anything.¨

¨It’s not important to me right me right now,” SFHS student Adilene Enriquez said, adding that she enjoys giving to her friends and seeing them be happy. “I treat myself and others by giving them chocolates,¨ she said.

Jennifer Perez said, ¨I care because I have friends and family, and I like to see them happy.¨

But giving a Valentine’s Day gift to someone other than a romantic interest is normal.

According to an article in Entrepreneur magazine, when people search for ¨Valentine’s Day Gift for…¨ on Bing, 20 percent of people typed in “for friend” while 17 percent type in “for boyfriend.”

The Valentine’s Day stress also falls on people who are in relationships. Making a perfect day possible for a significant other can be stressful.

According to the article “How Valentine’s Day Can Ruin your Relationship” on Psychology Today, many couples have high expectations for Valentine’s Day and are often disappointed. The author encourages couples to talk to each other to understand what they expect from each other to avoid unnecessary fights.

Obviously, some people have a lot of expectations. The British news site Independent reports that in 2015, data showed a 5 percent increase in recorded conceptions that could be traced to the holiday. According to the article “Valentines Day leads to spike in new pregnancies, NHS data shows,” while the weekly average of conceptions was 15,427, in the week that contained Valentine’s Day, 16,263 conceptions were recorded.  

Self-love is also important to remember on Valentines Day. Treating yourself is healthy. Instead of loathing Valentines Day, experts recommend you treat yourself to a movie and some chocolates.