When you think of Valentine’s Day, you probably think of flowers, chocolate, and candlelit dinners. But one of the best ways to show love is to help each other stay healthy. As a couple, making healthy choices together not only improves your physical health, but it also strengthens your emotional bond and trust in each other.
Studies show that people are more likely to stick with changes to their lifestyle if they have someone else encouraging them. Couples who work out together and plan healthy meals together build stronger relationships and set the stage for a happier future. Here are some ideas for how you and your partner can make this February more meaningful by building healthy habits that will last.
1. Work out together
Working out together isn’t just about getting fit; it’s also about making connections. Couples who work out together often feel more motivated and responsible. Also, moving your body releases endorphins, which make you feel better and give your relationship good energy.
You don’t both have to run marathons, though. Pick activities you both like and start small:
Walk every day after dinner.
Take a new fitness class, like yoga or spinning.
Take a hike on the weekends.
Do bodyweight exercises at home to challenge each other.
Working out together can also help you deal with stress, talk to each other better, and reach goals that make you feel closer.
2. Make healthy meals together
Instead of getting takeout or relying on quick meals, make meal prep a fun activity you can do together. Cooking together can be a fun, creative way to put nutrition first.
Make a weekly meal plan that includes a lot of vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Then, split up the work: one person chops while the other stirs, or one person plans while the other shops. This not only helps people work together, but it also makes eating healthy feel less like a job.
You might be surprised at how something as simple as cooking a new recipe together can become a special memory and a step toward living a healthier life.
3. Help Each Other Stay Mentally Healthy
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Stress, worry, and not getting enough sleep can hurt both people and their relationships. Helping each other stay mentally healthy is good for your relationship.
Some ideas are: meditating or being mindful together.
To sleep better, keep screens out of the bedroom.
Not just checking in with each other once a day about tasks, but also about how we feel.
Encouraging professional help if stress or anxiety is too much to handle.
Being honest and helpful about mental health can help you trust each other more and make a safe place for both of you to grow.
4. Share the journey of reaching your health goals
It’s easier to set goals when you’re not doing it by yourself. Instead of thinking of wellness as a group of people, try setting goals that everyone can work toward. For instance, training together for a 5K.
Working together to cut back on sugar or alcohol.
Putting money aside for a wellness-related activity, like a spa retreat or an outdoor adventure.
Making sure that you both get regular health checkups.
Celebrating milestones, like reaching a fitness goal or eating healthy meals all week, strengthens your commitment and gives you more motivation.
5. Enjoy the things you do every day
It doesn’t have to feel like you’re stuck when you make healthy habits. Finding joy in small, daily tasks that are good for your health and your relationship is the key. Try doing morning stretches or going for a walk together with coffee.
Turning off the TV during dinner and being aware of what you eat.
Dancing around the house to have fun and get some exercise.
Making bedtime routines like reading or writing in a gratitude journal.
These small things add up, and they remind you that being healthy doesn’t have to be hard.
Why Wellness Works for Couples
Couples who work together to reach health goals are more likely to succeed than people who work alone. That’s because you make each other responsible. If one of you doesn’t want to go to the gym, the other one pushes them to go.
Give out rewards. When you celebrate your successes with others, they feel more important.
Lower the level of conflict. If you both care about your health, you’re more likely to agree on things like meals, activities, and daily routines.
Make habits that last. What starts out as a conscious effort becomes second nature over time.
Putting your health first as a couple sends a strong message: you’re not only committed to your own health, but also to building a strong future together.
The First Step
If you and your partner want to be healthier, keep in mind that small changes are the most important. Instead of trying to change everything at once, choose one or two goals that you can both reach. From there, consistency becomes easier, and the results more rewarding.
Wellness is a journey that lasts a lifetime, but you don’t have to do it alone. You can improve your health and your relationship by being there for each other, being consistent, and celebrating your progress. That’s a love story worth your time and money.
Dr. Barbara R. Edwards is an experienced Penn Medicine Princeton Health internist who has practiced medicine for over 25 years. She is also the academic director of the Ambulatory Residency Program at Penn Medicine Princeton Health.