Live Laugh Love
I don’t really like to get wrapped up in clichés, even on days like today… but I do feel that Valentine’s Day does warrant something being said because unlike many other ‘holidays’, it is remarkable in that it’s celebrated across the world and by a variety of cultures.
Apart from the joy that expressing and receiving love can generate, there are some other surprising health benefits associated with love!
Here are a few I feel are worthy of a mention:
Fewer Illnesses
One theory is that we humans have evolved to live in closely knit social groups. When that is not happening, our biological systems can get overwhelmed. Another theory is that people in good relationships take better care of themselves. Over time, these good habits may translate to fewer illnesses.
Less Depression & Substance Abuse
This follows because social isolation is linked to higher rates of depression. Apparently marriage also contributes to a decline in heavy drinking and drug abuse, especially in young adults.
Lower Blood Pressure
A happy marriage is proven to benefit blood pressure. This supports the idea that other positive relationships can have similar benefits.
Better Stress Management
The is direct evidence of a link between social support and stress management. When facing a stressor, if you’ve got the support of someone who loves you, you can cope better. E.g. if we lose our job, it helps emotionally (and financially) if a partner is there to support us.
Reduced Anxiety
In a study researchers used functional MRI (fMRI) scans to look at the brains of people in love, comparing passionate new couples with strongly connected long-term couples. Both groups showed activation in a part of the brain associated with intense love - “the dopamine-reward area… the same area that responds to cocaine or winning a lot of money”. But there were notable differences between the 2 groups in other parts of the brain. In long-term relationships, there’s also activation in the areas associated with bonding... and less activation in the area that is linked to anxiety.
Natural Pain Control
The fMRI study revealed another perk for long-term couples - more activation in the part of the brain that keeps pain under control. Apparently, the happier the marriage/relationship, the greater the effect.
Improved Immunity
The very fact that loving relationships can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression may also give the immune system a boost.
Longer Life
A growing body of research indicates that married people live longer, purportedly due to mutual practical support and financial benefits. There may also be an emotional explanation, namely that relationships protect against death by warding off feelings of isolation. Loneliness is associated with all-cause mortality (dying for any reason) thus when we feel loved and connected we tend to live longer!
