It’s well known that a healthy dose of self love has a positive impact on your life. Studies show sharing love with others can also be good for our health. People in lasting, loving relationships have a better quality of life than their single counterparts. Married people are said to have many advantages. For example, they are supposed to live longer, experience less stress, and therefore live a healthier lifestyle. Besides enjoying a more satisfying sex life, they also have lower rates of heart disease, diabetes and depression.

Fortunately, you don’t need to have a marriage license to reap the health benefits. 

•  Aromatherapy. Candles set the mood for a romantic evening. The right scents can also provide many health benefits as well. Ginger, lavender, and peppermint are thought to help headaches. Chamomile, lemon, and sandalwood help relieve stress. Some scents have aphrodisiac properties like, for example,  jasmine, rose and vanilla.

• Flowers. A Rutgers University study shows that flowers are a powerful positive emotion ‘inducer’. In the study, women presented with flowers were more likely to be in a positive mood over the next three days. Elderly participants even saw memory improvement.

• Small touches. In a study reported to the American Psychosomatic Society, holding hands with a partner for 10 minutes or sharing a brief hug is beneficial. It is said to “greatly reduce the harmful physical effects of stress” such as their heart rate and blood pressure.

• Massages. Ending a long day with a massage is great medicine for both body and mind. Massages are known to lower the levels of cortisol, therefore reducing our heart rate. They also relax our muscles.