1. Instead of investing in a huge bunch of expensive red roses that will be dead in a few days, put together a herb garden.
Ready-made ones are available from garden centres or you can buy some small matching pots and plant them with your loved one’s favourite herbs. They will not only smell fabulous, but they are great for your health and will last longer than cut flowers. Basil is high in iron, marjoram contains compounds with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and oregano is good for stomach upsets and indigestion.
**2. Get sweaty and out of breath together.
**Exercising in one another’s company can be great not only for your romance but also your health and fitness. Swim, run or cycle together, try sports such as tennis or squash, or go to a yoga or dance class. Find activities that can be lots of fun to do together, such as tandem bike riding, rock climbing or paddling in a two-person kayak. It could be the start of a whole new exercise regime.
3. Go for a health checkup together.
Okay, so sitting in a doctor’s office being poked and prodded isn’t high up in the romance stakes, but being there for each other as you go through it shows how much you care (even if you sit outside in the waiting room for the really private stuff) and often support from a partner is the only way some people can be convinced to have these important checks. And afterwards you can treat yourselves to a lovely dinner to get over the experience!
4. If your valentine is a huge fan of chocolate and life wouldn’t be worth living if you didn’t stump up with a big box of them, opt for ones made of dark chocolate.
Those that contain more than 70% cocoa solids are a good source of antioxidants, which may help to protect against heart disease and cancer.
5. Make your loved one laugh.
Laughing together gets the feel-good chemicals racing around your body, which will not only make you feel good about being in each other’s company, but will also do great things for your health. Laughing triggers the release of pain-killing chemicals endorphins, boosts your immune system, relaxes your muscles, improves your mood and relieves stress. Try taking your valentine to a funny movie or comedy show, or hire a hilarious DVD.
Health Watch
Grief really can break your heart. New research shows the risk of having a heart attack could increase in the weeks after the death of a loved one, with the probability 21 times higher than normal the day after losing someone you’re close to.
Grumpiness isn’t a sign of old age. A study has found that older people are generally happier than younger ones and become more positive as they age. Researchers in Boston found older people tend to focus on positive events and shrug off negative ones.
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