Be good to your heart this Valentine’s Day

It’s easy to get carried away on a day that some would argue is the most romantic of the year. But maybe a scaled back Valentine’s celebration could be in order. This year take stock of your health and see if you can form some habits that stick.

Healthier meal choices

Starting with the all-important Valentine’s dinner. Rather than scrambling to book a table at the fanciest restaurant in town, would a candle lit home cooked meal do? This way you have control over the food on your plate, the BBC Good Food site has some great inspiration, or go that extra mile and try out a plant-based Valentine’s treat – great for your health and the planet.

Take a walk down memory lane

As the nights start to draw out with the first day of Spring just over a month away, a romantic stroll to an old favourite place or to see in the sunset could be just what you need. If you are planning on going out somewhere special, try to find something local so you can take a stroll and leave the car behind.

Give a priceless gift

It can be easy to get caught up in the consumerism of Valentine’s Day. Rather than buying that expensive box of chocolates or bottle of fizz, maybe you gift an unforgettable experience, or put together a scrapbook or photo album. You could even try your hand at some craft skills and make your own card out of recycled materials.

If you’re not feeling the love this Valentine’s Day why not celebrate friendship? There’s no reason that you can’t celebrate with your friends and have just as much fun!

If you’re planning to spend the day alone and would like some inspiration, check out this article for some fun ideas on how to spoil yourself.