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If you're single you should try your best not to go out on Valentine's Day. Or else, you might end up feeling worse about yourself and slip deep into depression, according to a new study.

A new study, published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, revealed that single people feel worse about being alone when they think about themselves as the odd ones out.

Interestingly, researchers from the University of Exeter, found that single people experience a significant boost in their self esteem when they consider couples to be the exception and singles to be the norm.

Researchers note that this effect also applies to left-handed people.  They found that when left-handed people were asked to explain how they were different from right-handed people, they were more likely to feel unhappy about being left-handed.  However, right-handed people were unaffected by how the question was framed.

"These studies show that the way in which we ask people to explain themselves can make a big difference to how people feel about themselves. So the phrase 'how come a wonderful person like you is still single?', although well intentioned, may actually be quite damaging," study author Susanne Bruckmüller from the University of Exeter, said in a statement.

Researchers said that the findings suggest that speaking exclusively about how minority people are different from the majority, rather than about how majority groups may be different can be very damaging to self-esteem and should be avoided.

Basically, if you're single and no one wants to be your Valentine tomorrow, your best bet is to stay in the house so you won't be forced to endure seeing the all the over-the-top flower bouquets, pink balloons, giant teddy bears and happy couples holding hands.  Otherwise, prepare for a steep drop in your self-esteem.