For those who despise, can’t stand, and question the celebration of Valentines Day, I propose a challenge: Look at the holiday from a different perspective.
Everyone expects Valentines Day to be all about couples and romance, chocolates and flowers, love and heartache, but there’s more to it.
Valentines Day is, in fact, good for the heart. The love, the chocolate, and the wine help blood flow. (Now, don’t replace regular exercise with wine and chocolate, but everything in moderation is okay.)
According to the University of Texas, any type of relationship (i.e. family, friends, marriage) can lower chances of disease, reduce stress, and lengthen life. Dark chocolate has antioxidants that reduce bad cholesterol. Wine has a thinning effect on blood and it’s effective when it comes to stroke and heart disease.
“The best thing about Valentines Day is that a few days after you can go to any supermarket and buy chocolates for over 70% off,” said Sebastian Salas, a “single and ready to mingle” sophomore.
Of course, many people see chocolate and drinks as the only benefit of Valentines Day but what about the “lovey dovey” stuff? Is it really only meant for couples?
Etymonline.com says that a Valentine is a “sweetheart chosen on St. Valentine’s Day.” That goes to say that anyone can be a Valentine. It’s a day where love can be shown boundlessly without question. Write a letter to a crush. Give flowers to a best friend. Hug and kiss family. Whatever the method is doesn’t matter as long as it’s showing love. After all, that’s what Valentine’s Day is about.
