It’s well known that a healthy dose of self-love can have a positive impact on your life, but that’s not all. Studies show that sharing love with others can also be good for our health. It’s been found that people in lasting, loving relationships have a better quality of life than their single counterparts. Married people are said to “live longer, have better access to health care, enjoy a more satisfying sex life, experience less stress, live a healthier lifestyle, and have lower rates of heart disease, diabetes and depression.” But you don’t need to have a marriage license to reap the health benefits. Simple, romantic gestures have been shown to improve our lives.

Here are 4 Mindful Living romantic gestures that can improve a person’s health:

 Aromatherapy

Candles can set the mood for a romantic evening, but that’s not all. If your candles are of the right scent it can also provide many health benefits as well. Scents like ginger, lavender, and peppermint are thought to help headaches. Chamomile, lemon, and sandalwood fragrances are thought to relieve stress. There are also scents that are thought to have aphrodisiac properties like jasmine, rose and vanilla.

Flowers

 A bouquet of flowers has become synonymous with occasions like Valentine’s Day and anniversaries. This is not by accident. A Rutgers University study shows that flowers are a “powerful positive emotion ‘inducer’.” In the study, women who were presented with flowers were more likely to be in a positive mood over the next three days. The elderly participants who were presented with flowers saw memory improvement.

Hugging and holding hands

According to a study reported to the American Psychosomatic Society, hugs can do a world of wonders. It was found that holding hands with a partner for 10 minutes or sharing a brief hug can “greatly reduce the harmful physical effects of stress” such as their heart rate and blood pressure. Such touches lowered the levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, and increased levels of serotonin and dopamine, chemicals that aid the pleasure centers in our brain.

Massages

It turns out that ending a long day with a warm massage from your sweetheart is great medicine for both body and mind. Massages are known to lower the levels of cortisol, reduce our heart rate, and relax our muscles, but that’s not all. A report from Health magazine shows that massages can also boost our immune systems. They can also help ease insomnia and stimulate brain activity, improving a person’s attention span.