There are a lot of ways to express your love on February 14. But let’s face it: getting six-pack abs for Valentine’s Day probably isn’t going to happen. And that’s okay! Because V-day is about more than looking good—it’s about spending quality time with the one you love. That’s what they really want! So, instead of six-pack abs, think long-term health. Staying healthy is the best way to guarantee that you and your boo continue to spend quality time together for a long time to come.
Don’t worry, you don’t have to run five miles a day or sign up for boxing classes (though those things would certainly help). Just focus on the four tips below and you’ll be well on your way.
4 Ways to Get Healthy for Valentine’s Day
- Get a lot of rest. Shorting yourself on sleep has a cumulative effect. The less sleep you get, the more time you’ll need to catch up. It’s called sleep debt, and it can contribute to mental, physical, and emotional fatigue. So rest up!
- Take care of your heart. You can’t win the heart of another if you don’t take care of your own. And though there are many ways to get heart healthy, start simple: go take a walk around the block. Every day.
- Drink a lot of water. Like, A LOT. Water makes up nearly 60% of your total body weight. Exactly how much you should drink a day will depend. But the National Academies of Sciences Engineering Medicine recommends 91 ounces of total water a day for women and approximately 125 ounces for men. Of course, you can’t go wrong with the old rule of thumb: eight eight-ounce glasses a day.
- Put the phone down. Screen addiction is real—just look at the negative impact screen addiction is having on our kids. Heck, you’re looking at one right now! Devote some time away from your screen(s) each day. You body, your mind, and your significant other will thank you.
Do you notice a trend here? Keep it simple. It’s kind of like dreaming up the perfect romantic place to have dinner on Valentine’s Day—the more you think about it, the more difficult it will be to decide. There’s no magic secret to being healthy. Yes, you could try moonwalking; but consistent adherence to a few simple health practices typically does the trick.