1) Take a tango class. Anyone who has watched Dancing With The Stars knows this sexy dance can be seriously romantic. But it also boasts some serious stress-busting benefits, according to a small 2012 study published in the Complementary Therapies in Medicine journal. In the course of the study, the researchers split 97 people who reported having depression into three groups -- one completed a six-week tango program, one did a six-week meditation program and one control group was put on a waiting list. At the end of the experiment, both the meditation and the tango group reported decreased depression levels compared to the control group, but just the tango group reported a significant reduction in stress levels, according to the researchers. Tango not your style? Not to worry. Any form of dancing can count as exercise -- and by now we know moving your body is a powerful way to keep stress under control.

2) Book a couples massage. Getting a rubdown has been linked to a myriad of health benefits, including better sleep, a boost in immunity, a reduction in pain and, you guessed it, stress relief. In fact, a small 2012 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that regular Swedish massage appointments are linked with a reduction in the stress hormone cortisol. 

3) Go rock climbing. Or rent a tandem bike. Or sign up for a yoga class. The activity itself doesn't matter -- the idea is to book an active date with your Valentine. Exercise is a serious antidote to stress: As the Mayo Clinic reports, it increases production of feel-good endorphins, helps you to forget about the day's stressors and boosts your mood. And a study published last year found that the stress-reliving benefits of exercise linger even after the workout is over.

4) Volunteer. Giving back to others could also be good for you. In fact, several studies have linked volunteering with decreased levels of depression, particularly among those over 65, according to the Corporation for National and Community Service. What's more, iVillage reports, helping someone you don't know can trigger the body to release oxytocin, often dubbed the "love hormone," which can help to protect the body from stress. "You are limiting exposure to stress hormones like cortisol," Stephanie Brown, Ph.D., associate professor of preventive medicine at Stony Brook University in New York, told the publication.

5) Watch a comedy. Those obligatory V-Day rom coms could actually help you de-stress. The Mayo Clinic reports: "Laughter can also stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation, both of which help reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress." On top of that, cracking up could also help to reduce the effects of stress on the heart.
6) Eat at home. We put so much pressure on ourselves to make Valentine's Day perfect, especially when it comes to planning dinner. Finding the "perfect" place, fighting the crowds and ponying up for a larger-than-usual check can add up to more stress than it's worth. This year, we give you permission to stay home -- order takeout or cook a special meal for your Valentine.

7) Buy concert tickets. Ever notice how good you feel after enjoying live music? Listening to your favorite tunes can distract your mind from life's stressors and cut back on the body's production of stress hormones, according to the Mayo Clinic. And several studies have pointed to the anxiety-reducing benefits of music.

8) Get close. If all else fails, cozy up to your Valentine -- cuddling, kissing and sex can all trigger a release of the hormone oxytocin, which can help to ease stress. We have a hunch you can make those a part of any Valentine's Day date.