When planning Valentine’s Day, most people have trouble thinking beyond the basic fancy dinner date. But did you know Valentine’s Day can celebrate everyone you love? That’s right, this day is not just for couples! However, Valentine’s Day 2025 may look a little different with the long weekend ahead. Whether you’re looking to avoid large crowds, are spending the day far from your loved ones, or just want to try something different, we’ve got you covered. Here are our tips and tricks to successfully plan the best Valentine’s Day dates and celebrations in 2025.

Virtual Valentine’s Day planning ideas

Going digital for dating is nothing new, especially since 2020. There are plenty of reasons to go virtual for Valentine’s Day. Online options are great for long-distance relationships and celebrating with friends and family that live far away. Plus, with winter weather and flu circulating, digital date nights offer a safe way to share the love. Check out our virtual Valentine’s Day ideas and planning tips!

• For the LDR: Don’t let long distances get you down. Yes, you can still have a romantic night together. Try this spin on dinner and a movie! First, order food delivery from your favorite restaurants. Then, you can set up a video call and eat together. Make sure you both treat it as a true date night: dress up a little and set the table nicely. After dinner, you can both stream a movie together! Many popular streaming services like Netflix offer a shared streaming experience so nobody misses a moment.
• Celebrate with friends: Get together with your favorite couples and host a virtual couple’s game night. Online sites make it easy to host and play a variety of different games no matter where you and your friends are located. And you can all feel the love without even leaving your respective living rooms.
• With the girls: Book a Galentine’s day event with Soothe to relax at the start of the event. Send all your Galentines a virtual wine tasting kit. Sample different varietals with the help of a virtual wine expert. Then, score extra points with a DIY snack and charcuterie board contest.
• For the family: Now you don’t even need to travel to experience some of the most amazing places on earth! Many popular museums around the world, national parks, and even Disney World offer virtual tours and videos suitable for a fun Valentine’s Day activity for all ages.
• Do good in the name of love: Want something a little different? Many non-profit organizations have ways to volunteer and give back virtually! Take time this Valentine’s Day to do some good, and get a little gratitude boost, too.

At-home Valentine’s Day planning guide

If you’re in charge of planning Valentine’s Day, don’t stress! We have all the tips and date night ideas for couples to make planning easier than ever. Many couples are choosing to keep Valentine’s Day 2025 low-key this year. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be romantic! Try one of these at-home Valentine’s Day ideas for couples.

Cook up something delicious, together

Skip the crowded restaurants and long wait times this year. Instead, book an online cooking class or baking workshop! This activity is a fun way to spend time together, learn something new, and makes for a more memorable Valentine’s Day dinner. Not into cooking? Order in and try a cocktail mixology class or wine tasting instead!

Planning tips

• Make sure you shop for all your ingredients ahead of time, and have the necessary equipment.
• Also, play to your strengths! If you’re an avid cook, you can go for something a little more ambitious. But if you’re a beginner in the kitchen, we don’t recommend attempting a souffle or bringing out the blowtorch!
• Ambiance is everything. Break out the tablecloth and the fancy cutlery. Set the mood with candles and music that matches the cuisine you’re cooking up.

Plan an epic game night

Get your competitive side ready! It’s time to plan a Valentine’s Day game night. An alternative to classic date night ideas, game nights are easy to plan and surprisingly fun! Got kids at home? They can easily join in the fun, too. Plus, you don’t even need electricity to make this date night epic. Dig out your old board games, borrow from friends, or buy a new game to try.

Planning tips

• Have at least 3 different games to play. To choose the best games, they should be easy to learn (if you don’t already know how to play), and work with two players. Games that take a long time, like Monopoly, may not be the best option if you’re looking to get to all of your games in one night.
• Keep score! Make it a friendly competition to see who can win the most rounds. Go the extra mile and make funny or romantic prizes for the winner of each round.
• Don’t forget the snacks! No game night is complete without your favorite nostalgic snacks close at hand.

Bring the spa to you

Nothing says romance like a day spent in the pure bliss of a spa! But expensive treatments, dealing with traffic, and one of the busiest spa days of the year can easily fizzle any romance. This Valentine’s Day, why not bring the spa to you! With on-demand couples massages and facial treatments, Soothe helps you create an amazing spa-quality experience for you and your S.O. without even leaving the house.

Planning tips

• Schedule in advance. Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest times for Soothe, so booking early helps ensure you get matched with an available massage therapist or provider. We recommend booking at least a week in advance!
• Create a relaxing space in your home. Before the date, clear any clutter, and make your home feel clean and fresh. This will help you maintain ultimate relaxation.
• Remove distractions during your treatments. For the best results and most romance, put away the phones and laptops, and focus on each other!
• Go the extra mile with fluffy robes, aromatherapy candles, and infused water or tea. Soothe Providers bring everything needed to create an amazing experience during your treatment, but don’t forget about the before and after!

Common Valentine’s Day planning mistakes to avoid

A lot can go wrong when planning Valentine’s Day. And the last thing you want is to have all your romantic gestures fall flat! To help make Valentine’s Day planning go smoother, follow our advice above, and don’t make these common Valentine’s Day mistakes. By avoiding these pitfalls, you’re sure to have an epic date night!

• Waiting until the last minute. February 14 is a popular day for many people to go out to restaurants and do fun activities. But that means that reservations fill up fast! Avoid this common mistake by planning ahead, and making any reservations well in advance.
• Planning without considering your date. You should always plan Valentine’s Day with the other person in mind. If your date doesn’t drink, maybe a bar isn’t the best spot to meet up. Similarly, if you know your S.O. isn’t into rom-coms, a different movie genre is a must. Not sure what they like? Now’s a good time to ask – before you plan a date they’ll hate.
• Going over budget. It’s easy to drop big money on Valentine’s Day gifts. But sometimes, quality over quantity actually makes for a more meaningful date! You don’t need to spend a ton to have an amazing day with your loved ones.
• Trying to cram too much into one day. The last thing you want is to be stressed about making your next reservation! Over-planning is a classic Valentine’s Day mistake to avoid. At best, we recommend having 2-3 things planned for the day. You can always have a backup just in case something goes amiss, but the goal is to relax – not stress! With the long weekend in 2025, you can plan on
• Showing up empty-handed. You don’t need to make a big show of gifting, but you also can’t show up with nothing for your S.O.! The go-to gifts are usually flowers and chocolate. But if you want to really surprise them, give them a gift card for a professional massage this Valentine’s Day! Soothe makes gifting easy and fast with email delivery, and they’re sure to remember it as one of the best gifts they’ve ever received on Valentine’s Day.

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One of the greatest benefits of in-home massage is that there’s no need to travel to receive a spa-quality massage. By ordering a massage to your home, you skip the inconvenience (and the frustration) of parking and driving immediately before or after a massage. Another benefit of enjoying a massage in the comfort of your home is that you can truly customize your experience. Whether you live in an expansive single-family home or a modest studio apartment, you can transform your home into a soothing oasis tailored perfectly to your taste.

Though a massage is sure to be a relaxing experience, there are several ways you can create a relaxing space by preparing for a massage in your home. We compiled our top seven tips to make your at-home massage prep easy

1. Set Aside Space

Clear six feet of space any place in your home that you feel comfortable. This can be in your living room, bedroom, or even backyard. Wherever you decide to set up, make sure that there will be sufficient space for the massage table and massage therapist to move around it. When preparing for massage, you’ll want to make sure your chosen spot is free from distractions like the TV, pets, and other family members so you can truly relax.

2. Give Yourself Privacy

Draw the curtains or blinds in the room you plan on getting your massage in so that you have complete privacy. If you have other family members at home with you, give them a heads up not to bother you until after your massage is complete. When your therapist is finished setting up, they will step into the restroom to wash their hands, giving you privacy to disrobe to your level of comfort and position yourself on the table. Please note, Soothe does not allow fully nude massages.

3. Take A Shower

As part of our Soothe Safe program, we ask that you please shower prior to your therapist’s arrival. Showering before your massage is an important part of upholding our community wellness standards. It also helps in preparing for massage, as the hot water will warm up your muscles and help you feel more refreshed and relaxed. Your therapist will appreciate your consideration, too!

4. Put On Comfortable Clothing

After you’ve showered, indulge in comfortable non-constricting clothing that you can remove easily when it’s time for your massage. Wearing a robe before and after your massage is always a treat. Our Soothe Swedish Robe is the perfect all-season option, with its textured, breathable fabric and comfortable kimono style. If you don’t have a robe, sweats are always a good option.

5. Check In With Your Body

When preparing for massage, take a moment before your session starts to scan your body, starting at the top of your head and extending to the tips of your toes. Do you feel any pain, tension, or stress in specific areas of your body? If so, be sure to tell your therapist so that they can focus on these problem areas.

Consider hydrating and eating a light meal before your massage. This can help you maximize your experience and relax your muscles during the massage. Avoid eating a heavy meal when preparing for a massage at home as it could be uncomfortable, but consider having a meal after the experience to unwind.

6. Silence Your Phone

Make sure to put your phone on silent or do-not-disturb once your therapist arrives. Hearing phone notifications or vibrations will distract your from truly relaxing during your massage.

7. Set the Mood

The final touch to creating a spa day at home is to emulate a spa experience. Our Soothe therapists come prepared with aromatherapy, oils, and music, but they are happy to use your products or music if you prefer. Lighting a candle can make your at-home massage experience a little more luxurious.

Now that you’ve transformed your home into a relaxation-ready oasis, get ready to unwind during your massage and learn how to stay relaxed long after your therapist says goodbye. Preparing for a massage in your home is simple and will make your massage that much more enjoyable.

Ready to book an at-home massage with Soothe? Our top-rated, independent professional massage therapists are available in your area. Book a massage appointment with Soothe today.

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Cleaning 

Regularly cleaning hands, feet, and nails is important for preventing infections, fungus, and buildup of dirt and debris that can accumulate under the nails. During a professional manicure or pedicure, sanitized tools are used to clean nails and prevent the spread of germs and bacteria. 

Trimming and Shaping

During a manicure or pedicure, nails are trimmed and shaped to the desired length and shape. This helps prevent nails from becoming too long, which can lead to breakage, splitting, or ingrown nails (ouch!) Shaping the nails can also prevent nails from snagging or catching on things, reducing the risk of damage.

Cuticle Care

Cuticles are the small, thin pieces of skin that protect the base of the nails. Carefully pushing back or trimming cuticles during a manicures or pedicure prevents them from becoming overgrown and potentially causing nail infections. It’s important that cuticles should never be cut or trimmed too aggressively, as this can lead to inflammation or infection.

Exfoliation

Manicures and pedicures often include exfoliation of the hands, feet, and nails. Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells and can promote healthy nail growth. It can also help soften rough or calloused skin around the nails.

Moisturization

Cuticle oils, creams, or lotions used during a manicure or pedicure can help lock in moisture and promote healthy nails. Hydrated nails are less likely to become brittle or break, and moisturized skin can help prevent dryness or cracking. 

Nail Strengthener and Polish

If you choose, a manicure or pedicure can finish with an application of nail strengthener or polish. These products can help protect the nails from environmental damage like exposure to water, chemicals, or harsh detergents. Some strengtheners also contain ingredients like keratin, biotin, or other vitamins and minerals known to promote stronger nails and overall nail health.

When scheduling a manicure or pedicure, it’s important to find a trusted, licensed nail technician. Aside from providing an esthetically pleasing result, these professionals also understand the importance of safety and cleanliness when grooming and caring for your nails. With Soothe, you can find a licensed professional near you and book an appointment wherever you wish. 

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If you’ve been struggling, feeling down, or just not feeling like yourself, you’re not alone. Over the past few years, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to major lifestyle changes. Many experienced being socially isolated at home, have lost loved ones, and felt the financial impact from inflation or unemployment. All of these things can take a toll on our mental, physical, and emotional health.

In this article, we’ll be exploring the 12 most important habits that can curb feelings of stress and anxiety, reduce your risk of disease, and boost energy and vitality. 

1. Exercise

Your blood flow increases when you exercise, and your body produces feel-good endorphins. Endorphins improve mood, reduce stress, and alleviate pain. Increased oxygen is great for circulation and reducing inflammation. It can also improve cognition and mental performance. 

According to the CDC, regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce disease risk, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve mood and self-confidence. Research suggests that exercise can also promote neuroplasticity in the brain, which plays a big role in learning new skills, activities, and languages. 

Longer workouts are great, but even seven minutes is enough to gain benefits. If you’re pressed for time, take a quick stroll around the block, jog in place, do some jumping jacks in your living room, hold a plank position, or take your dog for a walk.

2. Take A Few Minutes To Meditate

Some people struggle with meditation, and it’s no wonder – we live in a world with constant stimuli, and the simple activity of keeping your body and mind still can be challenging. The great thing about meditation is that you can start small and work your way up through practice. 

Taking just a few deep breaths can have big benefits, such as helping you relax during a stressful scenario or improving your focus and performance at work. Meditation helps to clear your mind and focus on the present, which can boost creativity and productivity.

Studies have shown that mindfulness meditation can improve your social well-being by increasing empathy, laughter, and connection. It can also help us better understand ourselves and process our emotions first before acting on them. This sort of mindfulness is great for emotional well-being and promoting happiness within ourselves and our relationships. 

This can give you peace of mind and lower stress levels. When you get a chance, take the time to research it, mediation can definitely be a great tool to use in many of life’s situations.

3. Massage Therapy

Many studies have been published over the last decade that prove how beneficial massage therapy can be. Massage can have emotional, mental, and physical benefits. We’ve shared many resources that show how massage can help you in your everyday life.

Plus, with massage therapy treatments, you can choose a specific massage that can help you with some of the conditions you may be experiencing.

Take Swedish massage for example. This type of massage is gentle and relaxing, a great choice for anyone who needs to relieve stress and anxiety. If you need a deeper massage to work out those knots, or trigger points, there is a deep tissue massage that can do just that. 

Explore the different types of in-home massage that can be delivered right to your door.

4. Dental Hygiene

A simple cavity has the power to destroy all of your teeth, if it’s left untreated. Your mouth contains a lot of bacteria and while most of them won’t harm you, some of them can. Your mouth is the portal to your digestive and respiratory tracts, and some of these bacteria can cause diseases.

Good oral health care is extremely important, so make sure you’re brushing your teeth every day daily and flossing – this will help you keep the bacteria under control. Without proper oral hygiene, bacteria can reach levels that might lead to oral infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease, these can lead to trouble.

This is why dental treatment is very important.

On top of that, new dental technology has come a long way. Take Aspired for example, they offer laser dentistry. This breakthrough technology replaces the dreaded drill for a gentler, faster, and more precise treatment. If you’ve been scared of getting dental work done because you are fearful of the drill and pain, laser dentistry may be a much better option for you.

If you’ve ever experienced tooth pain, you likely know how severe that pain can get. If you don’t want your teeth to get to that stage, proper dental care is essential to avoiding discomfort, brushing your teeth daily is a very important healthy habit.

5. Get Plenty Of Sleep

Sleep is very important to your health. It helps support healthy brain function and maintain your physical health. In children and teens, sleep also helps support growth and development. Getting inadequate sleep over time can raise your risk for chronic (long-term) health problems.

The U.S. Department of Health And Human Services recommends the following:

• • Teens need 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night

• • School-aged children need 9 to 12 hours of sleep each night

• • Preschoolers need to sleep between 10 and 13 hours a day (including naps)

• • Toddlers need to sleep between 11 and 14 hours a day (including naps)

• • Babies need to sleep between 12 and 16 hours a day (including naps)

• • Newborns need to sleep between 14 and 17 hours a day

With that being said, they also shared that getting the proper amount of sleep daily can help you get sick less often, lower your risks for health problems, think more clearly, avoid injuries, and make better decisions.

6. Take Time Out For You

“Burnout” is a real thing. We all need a break from the daily grind and pressure of responsibilities and obligations. A vacation or a self-care day can be a great way to combat burnout and improve your overall health and mood.  

Making time for yourself can help you feel energized, less stressed, rested, renewed, and less anxious. Self-care and mental health are becoming more widely practiced for men and women alike. Whether it’s a road trip with the family, a spa day with a girlfriend, or an appointment at home, your mind and body will thank you for carving out time for your wellness.

7. Relationships

While some people may prefer to be alone, isolation can have a truly negative impact on our mental and physical health. In fact, studies show that loneliness contributes to a higher rate of disease, depression, dementia, and premature death. Humans are wired for connection and need relationships with others. Just the sound of a familiar voice can have a big impact on the way you feel.

Think about those who mean a lot to you. Think about those who care about you. It could be a father, mother, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, or just a close friend. Try contacting them and see if they have a few minutes to catch up. If it’s a family member, try planning a few hours to reconnect with them, it could be a dinner, sports game, a get-together with the kids, or other meaningful events. Even a simple text or phone call can have a major boost to your overall wellbeing.

8. Take A Walk Daily

While walking is definitely exercise, we feel it deserves its own space because walking is more than just exercise: Research from the University of Michigan has found that being in nature can improve cognitive function. For those of you who live in nature or have a passion for the outdoors, you can likely understand this.

In one study, an hour-long trek in a woody park improved subjects’ performances on memory and attention tests by as much as 20 percent, compared with a walk in an urban environment. If you live in the city, try planning a walk outside of the city limits, somewhere secluded. It may be well worth the trip.

9. Learn To Say “No”

Do you have trouble telling others no? If so, you’re not alone. Here’s the thing: when you try to do more than you can handle, most scenarios end up with you being overwhelmed, frustrated, and stressed out. If you do this a lot, it could have health impacts on you.

If someone asks you to do something and you know that you don’t have the time for it, know that it’s completely fine to say no. If you’re in a situation where you can’t say no, make sure you reach out for help. And if you can’t do it, explain why you can’t, but do be firm about it.

10. Make Sure To Set Goals

Goals can be powerful motivators. If you make a schedule and set goals for yourself for the week, you’ll be more on top of your days, and when you’re more on top of your days, you’re more on top of your life.

Try making a checklist of the exact steps you need to take to reach your goal. Once you finish each step, make sure to check it off. This activity can provide a sense of accomplishment, which motivates us to keep going. 

Another neat mental trick that works to help change behavior is changing the way in which you think and verbalize your goals. Instead of saying your goal in the form of: “I will meditate each morning before I start my day”, try reframing it to: “I am meditating each morning to start my day”.

11. Work And Home Balance

If you’re spending too much time at work, you can greatly benefit from making the effort to schedule time with yourself, your friends, and your family. This may be a difficult thing, especially for those required to work a lot of hours. If you’re working long hours or a demanding job that prevents you from showing up in a present, meaningful way for your life and the people in it, the reality is, that it may be time to switch things up. That could mean looking for other opportunities or finding a better way to create healthy boundaries so as not to negatively impact your life outside of work hours. 

Burnout can be difficult to describe. According to the APA Dictionary of Psychology, burnout is defined as “physical, emotional or mental exhaustion, accompanied by decreased motivation, lowered performance and negative attitudes towards oneself and others.”

When you take time to disconnect from work to recharge, it can actually help you perform better when you are at work. It can give you a fresh perspective, a better attitude, and even sharpen your creativity and problem-solving abilities. 

12. Eat Healthy

We can’t discuss healthy habits without talking about eating healthy. There are many non-restrictive diets that can offer a lot of benefits, the healthiest include:

• • A variety of vegetables, especially dark green, red, and orange vegetables (3 or more servings a day).

• • A variety of fruits (2 or more servings a day).

• • Whole-grain, high-fiber breads and cereals (3 to 6 servings a day). Reduce or eliminate refined or processed carbohydrates; most of the grains in your diet should be whole grains.

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• • Lean proteins such as eggs, beans, poultry without skin, seafood, lean meats, unsalted nuts, seeds, and soy products. If you eat meat, eat white meat at least four times more often than red meat.

• • Reduced saturated fats and trans-fats (such as partially hydrogenated oil) as much as possible.

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• • Reduced daily intake of salt or sodium: less than 1,500 mg. per day if you are older than 50, or have hypertension, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease.

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• • Restrict or eliminate snacks, sodas, and other sugar-added products that are high in calories and contain few or no nutrients.

• • If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation. Drink only when it doesn’t put you or anyone else at risk.

There you have it: 12 healthy habits that can help you start feeling better physically, mentally, and emotionally. We encourage you to continue browsing other wellness articles to learn more about prioritizing self-care and how Soothe can be used as part of your wellness journey. 

 

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