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10 Tips to Create a Recipe for Romance

A healthy love life can be beneficial for increasing happiness, managing stress, and maintaining good health. For example, medical studies have shown that happily married men and women had less risk of heart attack and had better survival rates after heart attacks than unmarried men and women. We all know, however, that healthy relationships take a lot of work and dedication. Luckily, love is in the air this month. Married couples as well as those of you with budding relationships have an opportunity to center an entire day on romance this month.

Whether you travel the globe or stay home this Valentine’s Day, here are 10 ideas to inspire you to create a recipe for romance with your spouse, sweetheart, or current crush.

• Book a Getaway:Nothing sparks romance like a weekend away with your partner. If you’re short on time, or you’d simply prefer to stay close to home, consider enjoying a nearby bed-and-breakfast or local hotel. Even if you don’t find vacancies around Valentine’s Day, consider scheduling your romantic trip for a future weekend, such as your anniversary.
• Hire a Sitter: This is a no brainer if you have young kids, but also consider it for pets. Hiring someone to cover routine chores (meals, walks, etc.) could free up your time to primp, relax, and thoroughly enjoy a day or late night out with your sweetheart.
• Try a Couples Package: From champagne and gourmet baskets to couples massages, be sure to check out package options from hotels and spas. Package deals could save you time and money.
• The Gift of Chocolate: In addition to being a delicious treat, a serving of antioxidant-rich dark chocolate could encourage excitement by boosting serotonin levels in the brain.
• Dine Out or Have a Premade Meal: For an easy-going evening, make sure neither of you slaves over a hot stove or a sink full of dishes. Go out to savor some fine dining or have a meal prepared that simply needs reheated for an easy dinner at home.
• Add Oysters to the Menu: In addition to protein and vitamin power, amino acids in oysters can actually trigger sex-hormone production. Other aphrodisiacs include avocados and pine nuts.
• Enjoy Watermelon for Dessert: In addition to being light and refreshing, recent studies show watermelon contains amino acids capable of affecting blood vessels, similar to Viagra.
• Say “Yes” to Coffee: Caffeinated beverages like coffee or tea could promote energy for date night. If you’re sensitive to caffeine, try having a cup earlier in the afternoon or try only drinking a half-serving after dinner to decrease the risk of sleeplessness later that night.
• Take In a Show: Enjoy some entertainment; go to the theater, a cinema, or watch a movie on television. Romantic films or rom-coms could ignite feelings of love, forgiveness, and understanding, while an action film could boost adrenalin. The mental escape could also help you break free from any stressful, romance-blocking thought patterns.
• Create a Romantic Ambiance: Turn on the soothing power of slow-tempo music in a relaxing setting, such as a scenic landscape, a city rooftop, or a waterfront. Even a crackling fireplace at home could rekindle your romance. It may not be the Eifel Tower, but the radio playing love songs under the stars in your backyard could create a mini-escape for your sweetheart.

Do you have any Valentine’s travel plans or recipes in mind? How will you set the mood for a relationship-healing holiday? Tell our team at Eat, Heal, Travel via our Twitter or Facebook page.