Most people have a love or hate relationship with Valentine’s Day. Some people cherish the thought of pink and red hearts, chocolates and flowers. Other people loathe the insincerity of giving presents on a random day to declare your love. For those who are going through a divorce or have recently finalized their divorce, Valentine’s Day can be a giant reminder that you no longer have a significant other. While this can be depressing to some people, you should not let it get you down. Here are five ways you can survive your first Valentine’s Day as a single (or almost single) person:

Do Not Spend the Day Alone

It will help no one if you stay at home and wallow in your sadness all day. Call your friends, spend time with family, volunteer at a homeless shelter or nursing home -- the idea is to surround yourself with people on Valentine’s Day so you do not feel so alone.

It seems, by many accounts, that once the presents are all opened, the decorations stored away for another year and the final notes of Auld Lang Syne have faded, that thoughts frequently turn toward divorce. As is the case with most things in life, divorce is another that seems to have its own season during which the rate is higher than other times of the year.

It All Starts in January

As it turns out, January is a popular month for online searches that include the terms “divorce lawyer” and “file for divorce.” Some studies show it only second, by less than half a percent, to July. So why is January a month when many people begin the divorce process? The answers appear fairly straight-forward.

The divorce process may be one of the most emotionally traumatic experiences of your life, as the relationship you once thought would last forever has ended. Dealing with the aftermath of your divorce while navigating the winter holidays can increase the stress and anxiety of rebuilding your life.

The Holidays Are Stressful Enough

Crowds at the mall, parking lots filled to capacity, family get-togethers and office parties are just some of the things that make this time of the year very stressful. The after-effects of a divorce can increase that stress level, but if you have some idea of what to expect then perhaps you can take steps to avoid adding to your anxiety.