We’ve all heard the old expression, “Actions speak louder than words.” According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, this is especially true when it comes to matters of the heart.

Dr. Harry T. Rice, a psychology professor at the University of Rochester, tells the WSJ that couples who regularly demonstrate their affection through acts of “compassionate love”—putting your partners needs ahead of your own—are happier in their marriages than those who do not.

It’s just further evidence that NICE people are luckier in love. As we found when we were writing our book, THE POWER OF NICE: How to Conquer the Business World with Kindness, research has shown that people who are considered kind and congenial have lower divorce rates than those who are not. With Rice’s new findings, psychologists can better understand why.

As we often say, it really does pay to be nice, but these gestures of kindness needn’t be over the top. In fact, repeated small acts of kindness have a much more positive effect than infrequent, large ones. According to Dr. Rice, small, selfless acts are essential to a healthy relationship. Not only do they make your partner happier, they make you happier, too.

So, with Valentine’s Day upon us, what better time to harness the power of SMALL in your own life and do a little something nice for the one you love? It might not sparkle or come wrapped in a big red bow, but we guarantee it will make your partner feel like a million bucks.