

























































February is a month of love and romance. So it’s no surprise it is also designated as National Creative Romance Month.
Psychologists tell us dating is vital to a relationship. A date is not something to be tolerated or suffered through. Instead, dating should be fun and pleasurable for both parties. Psychologists also stress the importance of trying new and different things to boost relationships to become more romantic and fun.


A surprise getaway is a great way to get your partner excited about some alone time. Keep them guessing by making the surprise destination into a game. For example, cut up a brochure and have your partner assemble it like a jigsaw puzzle! You might even consider blindfolding your partner and then driving them to your destination as a surprise. A blindfold may not be feasible depending on how long it takes to arrive at your surprise, of course.
Movie nights are also a great way to bring some romance back into your relationship. Plan a night out at the movies. Make it extra special by finding a drive-in movie theater near you. Make the drive-in movie extra special by renting a classic car. Afterward, you might spend a little time stargazing together.
Planning a date during the day can also be special. Start by visiting your partner’s favorite museum or art gallery. Then, continue the date with a picnic in the park by filling a picnic basket with some of your partner’s favorite wines, cheeses, and fruits. Picnics are so much fun that July is designated as National Picnic Month. Plan your spread in front of a cozy fire for a winter picnic.
Use your imagination and have fun! Use #CreativeRomanceMonth in your social media.
National Hug Day or National Hugging Day occurs on January 21st and is officially recognized by the United States Copyright Office, but is not a public holiday.
The purpose of the day is to help everyone show more emotion in public. The only way to celebrate the day is by offering a hug to anyone and everyone you want. While National Hug Day and the Free Hugs Campaign share many similarities, there is not an association between the two.
Whether you hug a family member or a stranger, the mental and physical health benefits are the same. From the day we are born, hugs or touch improve our sleep. Hugging, like cuddling, releases oxytocin. On its own, this hormone provides tremendous health benefits. Not only does it gives us feel-good hormones, but it reduces pain. Receiving a hug helps reduce stress, lowers blood pressure and lowers the risk of heart disease. It also eases anxiety.

In my research to help my husband, I came across the benefits of these marvelous creations. The weighted blanket feels like a hug and quiets things like anxiety, helps reduce the symptoms of restless leg syndrome, and helps you get a deeper, better nights sleep. So I got him one for Christmas. He uses it every night. Instead of waking 10 times a night, he sleeps through the night. The Restless leg syndrome has quieted, he is no longer jerked awake by overactive nerve activity in his legs and feet.
I was skeptical that this would work, but after months and months of interrupted sleep and medical avenues not providing any relief, we were getting desperate. I figured what have we got to lose? I highly recommend this especially to anyone dealing with similar symptoms or issues.

Give someone a big hug. Or, if you need one, ask for a hug and reap the benefits. Use #NationalHuggingDay to post on social media.
The holiday was founded by Rev. Kevin Zaborney on March 29, 1986, in Caro, Michigan.