How to Show Your Love without Using Food

Whether you have a significant other or you are by yourself for this Valentine’s Day, this post will be for you. How do you show your love? Whether it’s to a partner or to yourself? There are many answers to this, but one in particular that I hear and see often is that people tend to use food, especially treats. It could be because we don’t know any better, we think our partners /we should be treated with their/our favourite foods or it could be because we can’t seem to think of other options. I am here to give you some new ideas instead of relying on the standard chocolates this year.

As I mentioned above, clients will mention that they feel obligated to eat the treat/food that their partner has given them/bought them; that they feel guilty if they don’t. This can be a problem, especially if you are not hungry or really don’t feel like it. If you find yourself in this position, give your partner some other options that you would like to receive if they wish to treat you with something. The same goes for ourselves. Have you ever noticed that you may use food as a reward? I had a crazy week, I deserve… Or I passed my exam, I deserve…. Instead of always using food as the reward, let’s use other options. This can help build a healthy relationship with food. What kind of options am I referring to? Let’s take a look!

- Buy a bouquet of flowers or a plant (they can last longer)
- Take a bubble bath
- Use a scented lotion to massage your feet
- Curl up with a good book and soft blanket
- Have a candlelit dinner at home
- Get a facial/pedicure/manicure
- Pet a dog/cat
- Phone a friend (not just text message)
- Put your phone on do not disturb
- Have a warm cup of tea/coffee
- Colour or sketch
- Walk in nature
- Send yourself/partner a letter or card in the mail
- Watch a funny movie/TV show
- Take a yoga class
- Play video games/buy a new game
- Go to the spa/get your hair done
- Get a massage

As you can see there are many options here to choose from and definitely many more! The idea is to try and show yourself/your partner love without relying on food all the time.  These ideas don’t have to be used only for Valentine’s Day but all year round!

What are some of your ways you show love to either yourself and/or your partner?