12 Ways to Show Love to Your Valentine

Healthy Ways that Say "I Love You" on Valentine's Day or Any Day

Feb 8, 2009

There are many sweet ways of showing your love and affection on Valentine's Day that do not involve candy, treats and chocolate. Here are 12 Ways to say "I Love You."

Valentine's Day has become a day for expressing love and affection. Candy, confection and chocolate manufacturers would like people to believe that one has to express love with candy, sweet treats and chocolates.

Many Valentines are struggling with weight and health issues. Two out of three American adults are now overweight; many are also suffering from diabetes and heart disease, so giving Valentines sweet treats or high calorie treats may not be the healthiest or the heart-healthiest choice.

This collection of Healthy Ways to Say "I Love You" includes heart-healthy options, healthy options, stress-reducing items and low to no cost gifts to show your love for your loved one on Valentine's Day. They can also be used for any other day celebrations like birthdays, anniversaries or just because.

12 Healthy Ways to Show Your Love

Give Flowers or a Plant

Flowers and plants make people happy, help to lift the spirits, improve moods, are pleasing to look at and help reduce stress. Flowers or plants that can be planted are a way to keep the gift around after the occasion.

Say it with Candles

Candles can be used to reduce stress. A lit candle can produce a meditative, reflective soothing and comforting effect. Watching the hypnotic flickering flame is calming and relaxing. Combine the candles with a bubble bath to create an intimate moment for two.

Send a Card or an e-Card

Cards continue to be one of the more popular Valentine's Gifts. Internet cards, electronic cards or e-cards are becoming a very popular way to send Valentine's greetings, especially for those interested in making Valentine's a greener or more eco-friendly celebration.

Take a Walk

Walking is an easy activity that can be done anywhere, any time with friends and family. Walking is good for the heart and helps reduce a person's chances of early death; coronary heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, colon and breast cancer, and depression. Taking a walk with your Valentine may be one of the healthiest Valentine's gifts to give.

Share a Sunset

Taking a few moments to stop and watch the setting sun with your Valentine is not only a good way to de-stress and unwind, but it is also a low calorie and low cost Valentine gift. Combining "Taking a Walk" with "Share a Sunset" is a way to add more health benefits to your Valentine gift.

Go Singing in the Rain

Singing in the rain, in the shower or with a loved one is a good way to bring out the kid again. Singing and walking in the rain is something people might have done as a child, so it is a way to bring out the kid in yourself and your Valentine.

Singing reduces stress and is also good to help lower the heart rate and decrease blood pressure. Walking in the rain (with umbrellas) is a good way to lighten up the mood and add some fun to a normal walk.

Take a Bubble Bath or Romantic Wellness Bath

Whether drawn as a relaxing bubble bath for one or sharing a romantic wellness bath for two, bathing is another way of creating a relaxing, de-stressing moment for a Valentine. A harried mom might love the opportunity to soak in a bubble bath, soothe aching muscles and quiet the mind.

Black, green, white and oolong tea all have polyphenols antioxidants shown to have health benefits, if one skips the milk and sugar, making teas another healthy treat.

Give Some Coffee

Coffee (without cream and sugar) is another low calorie source of beneficial antioxidants. An undated WebMD article on "Coffee as a New Health Food", has looked at the health benefits of coffee and found many benefits. Studies are showing that coffee may help lower one's risk of diabetes, Parkinson's disease and colon cancer. In addition it may help to lift moods, treat headaches and lower one's risk of cavities.

Pick Some Dark Chocolate or Hot Chocolate

Dark chocolate (more than 70% cocoa) is now recognized as a healthy treat if it is consumed in moderation. The flavanoids in chocolate have been shown to have heart protective properties. Cocoa is also known to decrease the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure, improve mood and provide an overall sense of well being.

While chocolate is not a low calorie treat, one delicious dark chocolate bar shared by two is a good way to share the health benefits of chocolate with your Valentine.

Bring Berries or Fruit

Blueberries, strawberries, other berries, apples and other fruits are loaded with vitamin C, minerals, antioxidants and phytochemicals that are beneficial to health. A basket of fresh berries or fresh fruit might be a great healthy treat for a Valentine.

Share a Hug

People of all ages like to be hugged. Hugging is another simple but effective no calorie gift that might even lead to some higher calorie activities with your Valentine.

With a bit of creativity and thought one can find all sorts of other ways of expressing love and affection on Valentine's day that also are healthy ways of demonstrating your love. Instead of spending a special night out eating, find other ways of spending time together.

The copyright of the article 12 Ways to Show Love to Your Valentine in Improving Relationships is owned by Kirsti A. Dyer. Permission to republish 12 Ways to Show Love to Your Valentine in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.