For some, Valentine’s Day is a dreaded event full of cringeworthy clichés about true love, or bad memories of being skipped over by a crush.
But what if Valentine’s Day was instead a day of self-love, reflection or meditation? True love, as they say, starts from within.
Focusing on self-love could even be beneficial for our health. According to Dr. Thuy-Vy Nguyen, a researcher at Durham University in the United Kingdom whose work focuses on solitude, spending time alone may be key to getting rest — regardless of whether you identify as an introvert or extrovert.
“Across multiple experiments, we found that solitude brings down our strong emotions,” she said.
She says being solitary doesn’t necessarily mean being isolated from other people. It could be as simple as spending time alone in a public place with a book, or enjoying a meal solo.
Here are nine ideas to enjoy Valentine’s Day all by yourself.
Enjoy ramen at a restaurant designed for solo diners.
Head to Ichiran, a restaurant famous for its “ramen focus booths,” or dining stalls designed for one. They create an experience for the diner to focus on one thing: flavor. The host seats you at a stall with a small window through which your server delivers your bowl of hot, savory noodles. Ichiran is known for its savory tonkatsu ramen, but vegetarians may enjoy the veggie ramen instead. The Japanese chain has locations in Times Square, Midtown and Brooklyn.
Melt away your winter stress at the spa.
Steam yourself at the massive King Spa in Fort Lee, New Jersey. This Korean-style bathhouse features multiple saunas and steam rooms, plus soaking hot and cold baths to soothe your stiff achy muscles. The spa provides a free shuttle to and from 31st Street in Midtown and has a Korean restaurant and juice bar on site to round out your daycation. For Valentine’s Day, the entrance fee is $45, which includes use of the pools and saunas. Spa treatments, including massages and body scrubs, cost extra and may be…
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