Use Science To Show Loved Ones You Care This Valentine's Day

Sure, Valentine's Day has become a bit of a "Hallmark holiday" over the years, with up to 30 percent of people rejecting it for this reason. But it hasn't always been this way. With the first mail-posted Valentine on record in 1806, far before Hallmark existed, there is quite a bit of history behind the Valentine. As a sex and relationships researcher, turning to the science behind love and sex naturally tops my list in ways to show loved ones you care. Why not take what scientists of love and sex have learned and apply it to your love life?

If you want to reject the commercialism of it all while still managing to show your loved ones you care, here are a just a few science-based ways to do so:

Give a Science-Based Valentine: The great site, Science of Relationships, has made that easy by offering science-based Valentines you can give your partner this V Day. Better yet, each of the Valentines they have posted have a link next to them that leads you to a summary of the research informing the Valentine! So you and your partner can geek out on the science by candlelight, if you so choose. Or check out these Valentines that are sure to impress any geek in your life, with sayings ranging from "I'd periodically do you on a table" to "You make my heart go tachycardic". Geeky. Cute. Awesome. Science.

Science Says to Reconnect Sexually: Valentine's Day provides a perfect external excuse (though you shouldn't really rely on those!) to reconnect with your partner sexually. And interestingly, in a survey I conducted with colleagues of over 2,000 people, we found that more than half of the sample were open to trying something new sexually with their partner for the sake of V Day. Been thinking about something you'd like to try with your partner? Now might be a good time to bring it up. But don't just limit your reconnection to trying new positions or behaviors. Reconnection can be so much more than that. For example, practicing mindfulness during sex has been shown to imporove ones sexual experience. Take the time to give it a try...really be present...be mindful of the moment.

Fall Back In Love, Using Science: There was a NYT article published last month that outlined relationships scientist Arthur Aron's list of the 36 questions that lead to love. It was followed up by another article describing how it worked for one woman, who recounts falling in love by staring into the eyes of another for exactly 4 minutes. Sounds intense, right? Well this need not be limited to initial meetings. Why not fall back in love with your partner using this method? Sure, you love one another, but after some time in a long-term relationship, you may not always feel in love. The 36 questions are now available in a free mobile app. Download it this Valentine's Day and let the reconnection and bonding begin.

Get To Know The V Day History: Does the history of it all intrigue you? You can check out some of this history on the History channel's website with a whole page dedicated to Valentine's Day. Here is collector Nancy Rosen showcasing some of her 10,000 piece collection of Valentines:

And if all of this isn't enough science to get your cardiac muscle pumping, there are lots of gift ideas here, Valentine's Day science experiments for kids here, or adorable penguins using Valentines as nesting material here. And if you got some candy conversation hearts for Valentine's Day but can't possibly eat another one, learn how to make them "dance" using science in this Scientific American experiment here.