That’s why with Valentine’s Day fast approaching, we’ve decided to share some snack inspo for the day filled with love, and, of course, food. Scroll down to find examples of treats, ranging from sweet to savory, from complex to simple (it’s the thought that counts, right?) and see if there’s anything you might want to spoil your significant other—or yourself—with this Valentine’s Day. Seeking to learn more about how important showing love and appreciation is, Bored Panda got in touch with the author and relationship expert, Professor and former Chair in the Department of Psychology at Monmouth University, Dr. Gary W. Lewandowski Jr., and Associate Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at The University of New Hampshire, Dr. Tyler Jamison, who were kind enough to answer a couple of our questions; you will find their thoughts in the text below. “It’s important to continually do things to support the relationship and help it to thrive. We often think of grand gestures, but the everyday little things we do to show our partner we care for them are immensely important. Of those, it’s the gestures our partner may not even notice—the invisible support—that are especially helpful,” Dr. Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. told Bored Panda in a recent interview. In addition to that, the expert pointed out that she believes the best relationships are formed, not found. “Supporting each other, building each other up, and feeding each other’s needs is what makes relationships worth working hard for.” (So is feeding each other snacks, if you ask me.) Surveys found that more than half of Americans appreciate an unexpected act of kindness, be it a small yet thoughtful gift, a treat, or a spontaneous trip to the beach. According to Prof. Ben-Zeév, “Profound love, like a happy life, combines the enduring continuum of the little things with the bigger, more meaningful things. The latter spices up romantic relationships and life, but it is not the main course.” One of the likely reasons for that—in addition to the love they feel for their partners, of course—is the fact that nurturing a loving bond tends to positively affect them, too. According to Prof. Lewandowski, “Our romantic relationships impact our happiness, life satisfaction, work productivity, as well as our mental and physical health.” The expert shared that three of the key ingredients of a strong relationship, in his opinion, are mutual respect, the ability to grow together, and being each other’s best friend. As for where the snacks stand in such a relationship, the expert believes that food has the power to bring people together and cooking for our partner is a great way to show our love. Follow Bored Panda on Google News! Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda! Please use high-res photos without watermarks Ooops! Your image is too large, maximum file size is 8 MB.
