Team Up With Your Partner for a Heart-Healthy Valentine’s Day
| 2 min read
Each year, as Valentine’s Day approaches, many couples try to come up with the perfect date idea. But while you could go the classic route with a reservation at a fancy restaurant, why not decide on a date that will help your hearts stay healthy?
It turns out your significant other is the perfect person to partner up with if you want to improve your health. A four-year study from researchers at Yale and Duke Universities found that when one spouse adopted better habits, the other was likelier to make the same improvements. In fact, the study found that someone was almost 50 percent more likely to start exercising if their spouse exercised too. And among other benefits, the more active you are, the lower your risk of coronary heart disease.
Whether you want to get outside of your comfort zone or cook up a special-yet-nutritious dinner together, consider one of these heart-healthy dates on February 14:
- Dance the night away: Not only can you hold your honey tight on a dance floor, but grooving to the music can also lower your risk of dying from heart disease.
- Cook a healthy meal together: Instead of going to a restaurant, enjoy a healthy meal at home. How about this delicious three-course meal packed with heart-healthy foods, including arugula salad with pears and gorgonzola and chili-garlic glazed salmon with brown rice. Hungry yet?
- Work up a sweat: Solo workouts are fine for most days, but on Valentine’s Day head to the gym together. Grab your partner and get your heart rate up with one of these sweetheart exercises.
- Achieve zen: Studies have shown that reduced stress can improve heart health, so why not give a couples massage or yoga together?
- Go rollerskating: Head to your local roller rink, strap up your skates and hit the floor for a fun night out (and a good session of heart-healthy cardio!). Another benefit? Novel activities like this up the chemistry between you and your partner.
Photo Credit: Tookapic
