The health benefits of being in love

Why being in love is good for you

Boxes of chocolates, lavish meals out and those late night fights; there certainly is an unhealthy side to love, but finding that special someone can bring all kinds of health benefits too.

If you've been considering ditching your partner, or are just feeling a little harassed by love, check out some of these relationship perks which might just remind you that being in love can be good for your health...

Love lowers risk of alcohol abuse

You may be footing a bigger weekly wine bill for all of those cozy nights in, but research has shown that you are less likely to abuse or depend upon alcohol if you are in a relationship. In the study, only four per cent of people who had been in a relationship for between two and four years misused alcohol; whilst only three per cent of those who had been in a relationship for more than five years reported abusing alcohol. However, 12 per cent of the participants who were not in a relationship in their 30’s were described as misusing alcohol and 13.5 per cent of people who had not been in a relationship for more than two years treated alcohol in an unhealthy way.

Love keeps us young

We all know that being in love and making love are two very different scenarios and apparently so does Mother Nature. Being in love is often very trying and can age us; however, research suggests that making love keeps us young. A study conducted by researchers at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital in Scotland found that those women who have sex four or more times a week look 10 years younger than their actual age. Consultant  says that loving couples not only look after their bodies more, but that they also benefit from the physical and emotional effects of sex. So, next time you reach for your anti-ageing cream, maybe opt for the baby oil instead? 

Love: good for women, bad for men?

When you think of a married man, do you think of the grumpy, beaten-down stereotype? If you do, then don’t worry, apparently there’s some truth behind this well-worn notion. The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing found that women report a higher quality of life when they are in a relationship, but their husbands or partners report having a significantly lower quality of life. However, although it is possible that relationships fulfill the needs of women more than men, compared to single people, those in a relationship are still happier overall. In a separate study 40 per cent of married couples said they were happy, compared to only 25 per cent of single people. 

Love improves our mental health

Love has many physical benefits, but it would seem that men and women who are in a relationship get lots of mental health benefits too. In New Zealand a team at the University of Otago examined 1,000 people. They found that people who had been in a relationship for longer than five years were less likely to be depressed and attempt suicide. Other studies have found similar findings, stating that married people report lower levels of depression and distress. Apparently married men are also half as likely to commit suicide as single men, and one third as likely as divorced men. Perhaps the phrase “you’re driving me crazy” should no longer be used in reference to your partner?

Love heals the heart

Perhaps it’s no coincidence that love is often depicted using a heart shape. A recent study by researchers at the University of Rochester in New York found that those in a happy relationship are three times more likely to survive heart surgery.  The researchers reported that a good marriage can be as beneficial to the heart as quitting smoking, staying at a healthy weight and reducing high blood pressure. Similar findings were found by those at the University of North Carolina and a study in Human Communication Research.  They both found that being in love and expressing your emotions had a positive impact on cholesterol.

Love gives us more birthdays

Sadly, being in love does not mean you get to have more than one birthday a year. However, it does mean that you get to see more of them. The mortality rates for single males aged between 30 and 59 are two and half times higher than their non-single counterparts! Don’t gloat too much though girls. Single women also face a 23 percent higher mortality rate than those who are married. Researchers suggest that this difference in longevity is due to the fact that most single people have poorer health benefits, a lower income and are socially isolated. Being supported and connected to others is an essential part of keeping healthy.

So What are waiting for go and hunt for your second half...............

Regards//Rajeev

...

How to find the perfect woman

Your guide to finding the one

If you hate having clammy hands, nervous chatter and going home to an empty bed, listen up: this is your guide to finding the perfect woman. We all know that finding love is somewhat tricky,  but remember it is like a game, and there are many tactics you can use that will help you score.

Scare her

Scaring your girl is not on the usual dating to-do list, but if you've still not found the one yet then maybe it’s time you used some alternative methods. Now, we’re not suggesting you do anything sinister, but research has shown that when people experience fear on a date they often misinterpret that feeling as love. Therefore, why not take your girl to a theme park and ride some of the adrenalin-inducing roller coasters? Or go to a zoo and pop into see the spiders, snakes and bats. Although this may not sound like the most romantic of dates, you can take flowers, a picnic and even some champagne. These dates are also great fun because conversation is easy to make and the environment is less formal than a traditional restaurant scenario, which will allow you both to relax.

Out of your league?

At some point, we've either been there or seen it – a beautifully stunning girl is after a guy, and you know they are out of their league. Although it’s tempting to pucker up and go for it, research suggests that reaching for the higher-end beauty queen will only lead to unrequited love. Researchers found that we are attracted to people who share a similar level of beauty to ourselves. If you luckily “catch” one of these stunners, research suggests that once they deal with their self esteem issues you will eventually be ditched. Harsh words from the psychologists. So although we all fantasies about the hot catwalk models, the glamour girls and the Miss Worlds, it would seem that these thoughts should stay just that; a fantasy.

Stare at her

The eyes are very powerful tools when it comes to dating. We've all seen it in the films, that Lady and the Tramp moment when two eyes lock and love is bound to ensue. However, it would seem that for once the films aren't too far removed from reality. A psychologist who studied the dynamics of love. He found that staring into one another’s eyes has an incredibly powerful effect on people’s romantic relationships. He conducted a study where he asked complete strangers to reveal intimate details about their lives to each other. He then asked the pair to stare into each other’s eyes for four minutes. The couples revealed after the study that they felt a strong bond with the other participant – so much so that two even got married.

What women want

It’s the age-old question; what do women want? Admittedly, we don’t have the answer, but we do know that your witty chat-up lines aren't on their list. According to recent studies we decide if we fancy someone within 90 seconds and 4 minutes after we meet them. How we decide whether we fancy each other is based on simple criteria: 55% is through body language, 38% is based on the tone and speed of our voice and only 7% is taken from what we talk about. So if you want to impress women, stand tall, don’t cross your arms or your legs. If you want a long-term girl, then it would seem that women prefer higher toned voices, but if you want a short-term fling then lower your voice to a husky, John Wayne pitch.

Valentine's Day Proposal Do's and Don'ts

Proposing on Valentine's Day can be tricky. On one hand, it is the most romantic day of the year so it can be a good day to pop the question. On the other hand, proposing on a holiday can turn super cheesy if it isn't done properly. Follow this Valentine's Day Proposal Guide from a Proposal Planner and your proposal will be a success.

Do think of a way you can surprise her even though a lot of women expect a proposal on Valentine's Day. Accomplish this by doing something to throw her off. For example, tell her you have a romantic dinner reservation at 7 but instead, right as you are about to leave a huge choir holding candles appears in your front yard and serenades her with your song.

Don't propose at an expected time. Again, throwing her off is important so the last thing you want to do is to propose over dinner or some other obvious time. Do not have a waiter bring your ring out on a tray or anything predictable. The element of surprise is a must, especially on Valentine's Day.

Do think about how she would want to look on the day she gets proposed to. Is she the kind of girl that would be disappointed if she were wearing jeans on the big day? If you know your girlfriend would be mortified to have a photographer take a picture of her with no makeup on, make sure she is dolled up for the big moment.

Don't over-plan. For some reason when men get stressed out, they can overdo things. As a Proposal Planner, I have seen men add too much detail because they just want to make sure it is very special. Keep in mind that you can go overboard. You don't need singers, dancers, limos, helicopters, flowers, picture frames, guitarists, mariachi bands, jugglers, and more. Just a couple "big" surprises are more than enough and even that is not necessary.

Do think about her personality type when deciding on the proposal idea. Ask yourself if she is the kind of girl who would enjoy a public or a private proposal before you start planning things. If your girlfriend hates to be the center of attention, a public proposal would likely mortify her.

Don't propose in a creepy way. You should never propose like this but especially not on the day of love. Examples of creepy proposals are faking your own death or scaring her so she can appreciate your heroism later. Proposals should be pleasant, period.

Do consider documenting the proposal. If your girlfriend is the type that loves to share photos on social media or likes to scrapbook, then she will really appreciate you hiring a photographer to capture the moment. If she is camera shy, you might want to skip it.

Don't hide the ring in a ridiculous place. This includes but is not limited to; in a champagne glass, in a cupcake, in a box of chocolates and last but not least, somewhere you can lose it or easily forget about it.

Do have help. Just as women hire Day of Coordinators for their wedding day, have someone that will help you take care of details so that you can enjoy your day stress-free. Consider hiring a proposal planner or just enlist the help of an organized friend.

Don't be afraid to be emotional. There is a social stigma that men are not supposed to cry but during a proposal, many men do. Don't worry about that. On your proposal day, you should be emotional and you should be telling your girlfriend all of the reasons that you can't live without her. Your emotion will make it even more endearing.

Do laugh if something goes wrong. If something unexpected happens like a dog comes up and takes a bite out of your romantic picnic, don't sweat it. It will all be part of the proposal story you tell later and it adds character to the event.

Don't have expectations for how she will react. I have seen so many reactions from women who get proposed to. Some laugh, some cry, some scream, we even have had girls curse! You never know what someone's reaction will be when they are in shock so don't feel let down if you don't get a reaction you thought you would. Just go with the flow and let her emotion come naturally.

I am sure you will make it possible

Happy Valentine day and remember do not let this moment go by........

Best Wishes//Rajeev

How To Tell Someone That You Love Them

Different approaches to saying “I love you”

Want to tell that special someone how much you really like them? Everyone has their own ideas on the ‘perfect’ way to make the confession, but you’re sure to find a technique that suits you in this list of seven ways to tell someone you love them.

How to express your love, the thing you need to do is Add a little humor

The words “I love you” can be spruced up with all sorts of poetic techniques that don’t sound like they've come straight from one of Shakespeare’s classics. Why not add a light sprinkling of humor to your love confession through a creative analogy? Think of something you couldn't live without and compare the one you love to that. You can make your analogy as silly or as serious as you like and your other half will appreciate the amount of thought you've put into your confession. “You are the cream to my coffee, the lamb to my farm, and I love you to little bits” – aww!

Creative photography

Dropping the ‘L bomb’ can be equally as nerve wracking whether you’re a hopeless romantic or you have a heart of stone. Sometimes the mere mention of the word “love”, when you've never said it to this person before, can make you nervous. If this sounds like you, saying it through photography may be the form of expression you’re comfortable with, and it needn't be as cheesy as it sounds. Take a photo of yourself doing something silly; a photo of your other half’s favorite sweets in the shape of a heart; and a photo of your partner too (it doesn't have to be snaps of these exact things – they’re just ideas.) Attach your photos together with some ribbon or string and voila; [insert name] hearts [insert name]. You didn't even need to say ‘the L word’ and your other half gets the picture (literally) and has a little keepsake to treasure – you are one creative soul.

Write it in the sand

To make your expression of love memorable, why not pay a visit to the seaside for a date? You can write a love message in the sand when your loved one isn't looking and when they turn around they’ll be in for a surprise. If it all goes wrong, tell them someone else wrote it and run for the hills. If it goes to plan –please say it goes to plan – take a photograph of it afterwards so you can frame it and remember the moment for years to come.

A slushy candlelit dinner

Confessions of love don’t have to be shouted from the rooftops to be effective. Cooking a romantic candlelit dinner for your loved one’s return from work gets the message across too. If you choose to go down the same route as Sex and the City’s Samantha during her infamous sushi moment, make sure you keep your telephone handy just in case your other half doesn't turn up. If your culinary skills aren't up to scratch, spelling it out in alphabet spaghetti is equally as creative.

 Think like a teenager

Phrases could do wonders (followed by a watery-eyed gaze and a scattering of rose petals) are great, but they've been done before. If you want to get all cute and cheesy about your confession, revert your brain back to your school years. Write a high school style love note saying “I love you. Do you love me?” followed by three check boxes titled ‘yes’, ‘no’ and ‘maybe’, then wait in anticipation for the reply.

Are You a "We" Couple Or "Me" Couple

We all know that when a team plays they do win the game. It is all because all the players have their comfort and are cohesiveness with other teammates,which led them to win the game. On the other hand, if they do argue on small-2 things, the team spirit gets hampered and they do end-up losing the match or the game. And same goes here for the relationship between couples. It doesn't matter whether it is two or twelve.

I've noticed a similar dynamic in relationships, one I call the "me" couple vs. the "we" couple.  the "me" couple operates as two distinct people who happen to be in a relationship. This can be true of a couple who got together last week or one who's been together for fifty years.  It's the attitude. The "me" couple are not really partners. They may love each other; they may be happy enough,  but they don't operate as effectively in love and can not be called as "we" couple.


The "we" couples are unquestionably a team. You see it in their body language and especially in their speech. And when they have successes or problems they view it as something happening to both of them.
A study showed that couples who use pronouns like "we," "our" and "us" showed less stress and were more positive toward each other. Those found to be less satisfied in their marriages used pronouns like "me," "I" and "you." Happy couples often speak in a "we."  As in, "we had a nice time at the party" and "we had a major plumbing problem at the house last week." 
The idea is that unconsciously they have formed a sense of being a part of a team and life is happening to both of them.  These couples will fight, they may even not fight nicely. They have no fewer problems than anyone else but the way they cope is better.  Rather than waste energy blaming each other they see a problem as something they both need to solve. So they divide tasks, brainstorm, resolve and move forward.  Life is better when the blame is minimized and the challenge (whatever it may be) is addressed by both people.
The "we" couples take themselves less seriously.  They don't imagine they can be perfect and are unsurprised when things don't go swimmingly.  Rather than a "here we go again, the universe hates me," when the car is stolen, a "we" couple will quickly bemoan the fact that this happened to "us" and move on.  Of course cars get stolen, it happens every day.  He files the police report, she arranges a rental. They go to office on time and the flow of life continues. 

"Me" couples blame each other (I told you we shouldn't have parked here. Why did you open an account in a bank here? It's a crummy neighborhood). They storm off, they don't resolve the issue quickly, they don't get to work and they have more problems as the newest spiral downward commences.

Becoming a "we" couple can be as simple as starting to use the word more.  Think of things that brought you together and keep you together.  Is it being parents, charitable work, common hobbies, a love for sports or the environment? These things may be simple or profound.  The next time you're together, talk about the "we" things in conversation. Reminisce about them. When problems come up, resist the urge to blame, take a deep breath and try to move immediately to problem solving. This movement and restraint is the work of change. It's worthwhile to make the effort.

Also, be kind to each other and think of your significant other as a partner. Ask for their opinion and their input so that decisions begin to be made together in an atmosphere that doesn't blame and judge.  Judgment causes the team to argue and worse, the partners even stop suggesting ideas for fear that anything they say can and will be used against them. Build an atmosphere of cooperation by understanding each other and inviting your partner's thoughts.

Finally, avoid "me" couples for a while. Be aware that other people's expressions and attitudes can influence even the best relationships. For a while, insulate yourselves while you're building up your "we" approach. It's a quick turn around and a minimum of effort to put in for very worthwhile benefits.

Signs A Girl Likes You

For many guys, being able to tell for sure if a girl likes them or not is a challenge in and of itself. For basically any man, it is extremely frustrating to invest a good deal of time and energy into pursuing a girl, only to find out that she really did not like him! To avoid this big waste of time, the following will teach you what to look for to tell if a girl really likes you.

Provocative Signals

Provocative signals can be a great help to tell if a girl likes you since they are quite distinct and memorable ways of behaving. For argument’s sake, suppose that a girl raises her arms either behind or above her head as she is utilizing her hands to check the back of her hair. This pose will show off the vulnerable neck section of the girl, as well as her underarms. Moreover, it raises her bust and creates a curvature in her spine.

If she takes up this pose while looking right at you, this can be taken to mean that she likes you and that she is inviting you in. Lastly, if she has a closed-lip smile as she is staring in your direction, then you can be reasonably certain that she wants to have a conversation with you.

Hair Signals

Even something as elementary as playing with her hair can be a signal that she likes you. This is especially true if she does this while in your presence because this means that she is fixing up her appearance just for you. Girls do not just play with their hair in one way: There are various ways in which girls play with their hair to show an interest in guys. The different ways are smoothing down hair, tossing hair, twiddling hair, flipping hair and tucking it behind her ears to show more of her face.

Tactile Signals

Tactile signaling is a way how to tell a woman if she likes you. These signals present themselves in a circumstance when a girl really likes you. These types of signals are unique because they are defined by some auto-erotic touches. You may notice how she will touch herself in one or more of these specific ways:

Stroking the neck: This provides her with an instant breast lift, yet it also displays her armpit, the source of pheromone attraction chemicals.

Preening: This is the triad of her licking her lips, arranging her cleavage and fluffing her hair is done to make herself look good for you. Using her fingers: If she is employing her fingers to carefully brush against her lips or cleavage or even toy with a straw or a glass as she looks at you, then it is a safe bet that she likes you. Smoothing hands: When she is smoothing her hands on her neck and arms, she is being a tease. This signals that she wishes to make you jealous of the reality that your hands are not yet sliding over her. Playful punching: When you tease her, she laughs and punches you on your shoulder. Okay with being touched: She is alright with you touching her and invading her personal space.
If you notice any of these signs, it may be that she is into you!

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What Girls Always Notice on a Date!

Girls and guys have completely different priorities when it comes to dating each other and noticing what really matters on a date. Here are six things that girls always notice on a date!

Do you want to impress a girl on the very first date? If you really know what girls always notice on a date, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to impress that pretty lass within the first few minutes.

And you know what they say, first impressions are everything when you’re trying to have a great date!

Unlike men, who don’t notice a great deal too much, women are a lot sharper on a date.

They put in a lot of effort, and they expect their date to look spruced up and primped for them. So what are the things that girls notice on a date? Men, you might just be surprised.

What girls always notice on a date #1 CLEANLINESS

You definitely need to be clean. Women like guys who can groom themselves. Even if you sport a stubble, it should look like every strand of hair exists to accentuate your face.

Clean hands and nails, crisp clothes, and a fresh face. And no bad breath or body odor. No girl would ever like that! Maybe a few kinky ones, but definitely not on a date. In a restaurant.

What girls always notice on a date #2 LABELS!

Girls love labels and fancy brands. It’s a sign anyways, isn't it? If you can pamper yourself, you definitely can pamper her.

Go figure about big brands. Some labels may be expensive, but they don’t necessarily turn out to be the best. But the biggest names don’t come cheap. They do charge over fifty grand a suit and still makes just fifty suits a year, but that’s never ever going to look bad on you, would it?

And it’s never going to hurt. Maybe just your Louis Vuitton wallet. A wee bit, you big, rich boy!

Girls want a guy who knows how to keep his woman happy. So are a smooth talker? Do you stutter and splutter and run out of things to say, half way through dinner and resort to “so you say something… no, no, you say…” to cover the fact that you have nothing to talk about? That’s not good. A woman wants to be with someone who knows to talk, and talk well. Yup, back when you were in tenth grade, backstreet boys were hot stuff!

What girls always notice on a date #4 HOW FAR CAN YOU GO?

How far can you go for your date? What can you do to pamper her? Flowers and sparkling wine are great starters. But can you call back your waiter and ask him for more flowers on your table? Or perhaps, a white candle? Anything else? A woman wants to test how far a man would be willing to go for her. Of course, subconsciously.

So pamper her. She can’t make up her mind about which dessert to pick, order three of them. Try it. It definitely works. Tell her to take a bite off all of them. She can have what she wants, and the waiter can take back the rest. If you have to be her king, treat her like the queen she deserves to be. But never be pompous, and don’t forget to be a brat boy now and then.

What girls always notice on a date #5 YOUR ATTIRE

Brands are one thing, but women definitely notice the way you dress. A Gucci shirt looks good, but untucked and crumpled on a formal date? Don’t think so. Dress for the occasion. Be pleasing to her eyes, and don’t ever go overboard. A clean shirt or a suit is the best thing to wear when you’re out at a great date restaurant in the middle of paradise. And yeah, do take her to a great place.

What girls always notice on a date #6 Ogling other women

You may have done all of the above things to impress your date, but this one wrong move can be a killer! There’s nothing more insulting for a woman than to see her man staring at other woman or craning his neck to ogle at other women now and then. When you’re out on a date, remember, all eyes on your date. You can ogle at all the beautiful women and staring at girl's breast or her never ending legs when you’re with the guys. On a date, just focus on your date, if you do want to impress her.