Did you know the right relationship can actually help you live longer? Marriage has been shown to have a profound effect on cardiovascular disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and more. But, there is a catch.

You can only reap those health benefits if you’re in a healthy relationship. If you’re not, you may actually end up living fewer years.

Supporting a healthy relationship with your significant other is important for your health and your happiness. Make sure you reap all those health benefits by trying these four things to enhance your relationship with your partner.

Make Plans to Be Intimate

Life can get busy, and before you know it, you feel like two ships passing in the night. If you want to support a healthy relationship, you have to make time to be intimate.

Plan a date night, strive to give each other one good bear hug every single day, or visit your doctor and pick up a prescription that can enhance your intimacy. It may seem unnatural at first to plan these sorts of things, but it will do wonders for your relationship.

Get Specific

Do you remember the first time you told your partner that you loved them? Your heart rate probably skyrocketed and you probably felt nervous. And yet, over the years, telling your partner this meaningful phrase ends up with as much feeling as a simple hello.

Reinvigorate your relationship by getting specific. The next time you tell your partner that you love them, tell them why. By taking the time to show your gratitude, you’ll feel fuller and your parnter will feel full of love too.

Plan a Surprise

Research has shown that the most important predictor of a happy marriage is kindness. Whether big or small, kindnesses can greatly support a happier, healthier relationship.

A few ideas include:

• Sending your spouse flowers at work for no reason
• Do a chore for your partner that they usually have to do
• Set up a haircut, pedicure, or a massage
• Swing by the gas station and bring home your partner’s favorite candy bar

You can see that surprises don’t have to be big in order to be meaningful. Plan a big trip as a surprise if you can afford it, but something as small as dropping off a special lunch for your partner at work will have the same relationship benefits.

Take Some Time for Yourself

It’s important to spend quality time together, but if you’ve heard the old adage “Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” you know that a little time to yourself is a good thing too.

It doesn’t necessarily mean you have to take a trip to Vegas with the girls or the guys. Something as simple as a bubble bath can rejuvenate you enough to bring your all to the relationship each and every day.

With so many health benefits, it’s definitely worth it to work on your relationship. Not to mention, you’ll lead a happier life together if you follow these tips!