Love is in the air! February 14 is recognized as Valentine’s Day—a holiday where people across the world tell the people they love just how much they mean to them, both friends and significant others alike. You don’t have to be in a relationship to participate in Valentine’s Day. In fact, there are tons of ways to show everybody around you just how much you care! Check out the ideas below to help spread love this Valentine’s Day and throughout the entire month. 

Call a Loved One 

Not text. Not a carrier pigeon. Not a telegram. Pick up the phone and give a friend or loved one a call! Tell them you love them. That’s it, that’s the phone call. You’d be surprised at how much this will mean to your loved ones. Often, we forget to call simply to call and only place that phone call in times of need. 

Give Back to Your Community

Pick up litter in the park. Volunteer in a soup kitchen. Donate to your favorite local organization. There are a ton of ways you can spread love in your community this month in the name of love! Think of something you’re passionate about and find a way to give back. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and involve help from the ones you love. After all, life is sweeter with those you care about.

Perform Random Acts of Kindness

You don’t need to personally know somebody to spread love this Valentine’s Day! Instead, consider using the day as a time to perform random acts of kindness. You can even continue to do random acts of kindness throughout the month (and the year!). Do a chore for a neighbor in need. Surprise a local person in need with a gift card to get food or clothes. The great thing about random acts of kindness are that you can either go big or as small as you like. Even surprising somebody with a cup of coffee can completely change the course of their day. 

Give Out Hugs

We are still in the midst of a global pandemic, so this one may only apply to those you’re comfortable hugging! Aside from helping to spread love, studies have shown that hugging can help lower stress and release good feelings. What’s not to love about giving a hug?

Listen to a Friend or Coworker

When was the last time you truly stopped to ask how somebody was doing? Often we’re greeted with “How’s it going?” followed by “Good and you?” The surface level conversation goes on, and we never stop to truly have a conversation about what’s happening in our lives. Remember—you never know what somebody else is going through. 

Ask a follow up question instead of stopping at the surface level conversation. Then, truly listen. We all have struggles in this life. Offer an ear to actively listen. You’d be surprised at the genuine connections you form from truly stopping to ask how somebody is feeling. 

How will you spread love during the month of February? Use one of these ideas or come up with your own! You never know how much a small act of kindness will mean to a person. Get out there and spread the love!