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Every February 14, couples around the world prepare to exchange lavish gifts, chocolates, and flowers. A festival of romance that celebrates love and relationships, we also like to think of Valentine’s Day as another opportunity to show ourselves and our partners some extra love by paying attention to our wellbeing.
Wellness lovers of the world: if you’re willing to go the extra mile to do something fun, romantic and that boosts your wellbeing, then the below list of 9 healthy Valentine Day’s ideas is what you’ve been looking for!
#1 A morning walk to get your day off to a good start
If walking is already part of your daily habits, you’re on the right track — never better said! Walking is perhaps one of the most underrated forms of exercise, and our mission is for everyone to become aware of its many benefits! From preventing weight gain to reducing joint pain, walking is not only good for our health, but it’s also a great way to share a special moment with our loved ones.
If you don’t get your partner to join you in your morning walks often, then Valentine’s Day is a great time to start doing this together: encourage each other to get on your feet and go for a walk. You never know if a beautiful sunrise is waiting for you two around the corner!
#2 Pick and mix: fun fitness activities for two!
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Valentine’s Day can be romantic, but who said you can’t add some fun and exercise to your day? You’d probably find it interesting to learn what playfulness can do for relationships. A survey carried out by Krystyna S. Aune, from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, revealed that couples who are more playful in their relationships tend to experience more positive emotions, be more satisfied with their union, and feel closer to each other.
Add playfulness into this day and make it extra special! For example, a trampoline park is a different and exciting plan for couples looking to keep their relationship fresh. Jumping on a trampoline exercises the whole body and it’s incredibly fun! As a bonus point, a trampoline park can also be the perfect backup plan if your kids end up joining the fun that day.
Is a trampoline park not convincing enough? There are many fitness activities you can choose from to make this day fun and unforgettable too: dancing, ice or roller-skating, indoor rock climbing, hiking, bowling… What is it going to be?
#3 Couples who cook together, stay together!
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Did you know that cooking is the main ingredient of a healthier diet? This is because people who regularly cook at home eat healthier and consume fewer calories! If this was not enough reason to put your apron on and start prepping a nice meal for your Valentine’s Day night, then you should also know that cooking together with your significant other is believed to improve a couple’s bond. All in all, a win-win!
If aprons, saucepans, and ovens sound like foreign terms to you, then this Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to get yourself and your partner some quality time in the kitchen. The time has come to sign up to a cooking class together so you can prepare your dinner for this special occasion as a team of two!
#4 Getting lost in the woods never felt so good!
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Are you planning on packing your bags and heading off on a romantic getaway? Then the forest might be something you’d like to consider. Renting a tree house or enjoying a glamping weekend is easier than ever, and it’s the perfect mix of luxury, wellness and adventure!
Spending some time in the woods would also give you the opportunity to try Shinrin-yoku out, a Japanese practice consisting of fully immersing oneself in nature and that is part of the 5 Asian rituals you should give a go in 2021!
#5 Go eat outside, it’s picnic time!
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A glamping weekend or a night in a tree house are not the only ways to enjoy being outdoors though. A picnic is the perfect excuse to get out of the house on this special day and during winter in general.
Organise a picnic with your partner and explore together a new space in your town. If you live in the city, this can also be a brilliant chance to leave the chaos behind and get some lovely city views from the distance!
Remember to minimise your carbon footprint as much as possible: bring a blanket for both seating and spreading your lunch fare; use stainless utensils and cloth napkins; carry reusable containers for water and drinks; dispose of food responsibly after the picnic; and above all, bring some delicious healthy snacks to enjoy with your other half!
#6 Relax. Put phones away. Enjoy.
It’s date night and the time to unplug and unwind begins! Make sure this is a time for you and your partner to (re)connect and have some alone time - and by alone, we mean NO phones allowed in the room. Does it sound like a logical request? Just bear in mind that 86% of adults in the US constantly or often check their email, texts, and social media accounts!
Make sure both your significant other and yourself commit to a ‘disconnected’ night and apply the principles of hygge to your house: put the fireplace on (or turn your TV into a virtual one!), light some candles, enjoy a glass of wine, put some chill music on and read together on the couch whilst you enjoy each other’s company. It can’t get any better than that!
#7 Play a game to get to know each other better
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Not a big fan of the reading on the couch plan? How does a game sound to spice things up?
The always resourceful and multifaceted Oprah Winfrey and her creative team of editors came up with a really curious game named 100 Thought-Provoking Questions for Couples. Does Valentine’s Day night just get all of a sudden more interesting?
The above is a game that both brand new couples and people who have been together for years can play and enjoy. Answering the questions Oprah and her team suggests will allow you to get to know more about your partner, and will give you a little extra help to keep your relationship fresh, healthy, and romantic!
Spoiler alert! Some of our favourite questions include ‘Who is more likely to survive the Hunger Games - me or you?’ and ‘What superpower do you wish you could have?’. We already know our answers, do you?
#8 Write a love letter to yourself and share it with your other half
In this day of email, social media and impersonal communication, the idea of getting a love letter sounds utopic. However, hopeless romantics as we are, we truly believe there is no better way to make your partner feel loved, cherished and special.
But what about making yourself feel the same?
Surprisingly, being kind to ourselves seems not an easy thing to do. Even though the concept sounds simple, it seems that showing ourselves love is harder than we think! Kristin Neff, a leading researcher in the field of self-compassion and a professor of human development and culture at the University of Texas at Austin, notes that self-love does not come naturally to most of us and that it requires practice.
On February 14, start putting self-love into practice by writing a love letter to yourself! Make sure to include things that you’re proud you’ve achieved, and also list all the things you love about your personality - FYI, less than 5 are not acceptable!
Then, read it out loud to your partner to demonstrate to each other how important it is for you to love yourselves first so you can love others the way they deserve.
#9 Get a massage together, or give a massage to each other
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The ultimate self-care plan for couples, getting a massage seems to never get old. Massages can be the perfect way to enjoy a morning or afternoon together, but they are also the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day - especially if flowers or chocolates are the only idea that comes to mind!
Natural face massages specifically are a marvellous way to treat your partner, boost their wellbeing and invite them to relax, look after their skin and get a rejuvenated look! You can even get more creative with the gift you choose for your sweetheart this year: surprise them with a massage YOU can give! You can learn how to massage your other half’s face or get them a coaching session so they can learn how to do it themselves. A gift that will last a lifetime!
Which of the above Valentine’s Day ideas would you like to try? Whether you’d like to stay at home and relax or go outside and enjoy nature, there are plenty of wellness activities you can do to ensure February 14 is not just another day in the calendar.
BY JULIANA R. & EMILIE CELINE
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