Love is Good for You

By Janet Long

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, the word “love” seems to be popping up everywhere. Love is an amazingly powerful emotion that can have a positive impact on your life – and, believe it or not, your health. Various research studies report that being involved in any type of healthy, close relationship - not just one between lovers - may have a lot of positive health benefits.

Doctors at the University of North Carolina found that hugging may dramatically lower blood pressure and boost blood levels of oxytocin, a hormone known as the “love hormone” which helps people bond with each other.

A University of Iowa study found that ovarian cancer patients with a strong sense of connection to others and satisfying relationships had more vigorous white blood cell activity at the site of the tumor than those who didn't have those social ties. (White blood cells kill cancerous cells as part of the body's immune system.)

The connection of love and good health makes sense. Research has proven that stress and negativity can lead to such things as depression, heart attacks, hypertension, frequent headaches, insomnia, back and neck pain, heartburn, stomach pain, poor sexual desire and/or performance, forgetfulness, increased irritability, reduced work efficiency, anxiety attacks, and much more. When you surround yourself by love – not just a lover, but by the feelings of love for others and yourself – you feel less stress and negative emotions, therefore having a positive impact on your health.

Here are some small things that anyone can do to invite more love into their lives:

• Small acts of kindness for others. This could be something as simple as listening to a friend talk about a difficult day at work or saying thank you to the bagger at the grocery store. Though little, these acts of kindness can have more of an impact on others than you might realize. The more kindness you put out in the universe, the more kindness you will receive in return.
• Touch and be touched. Missing out on human contact can lead to feelings of isolation and illness. Hug someone when they do a good job, shake hands with a colleague, or hold hands with a loved one. Another way to connect through touch is massage. Massage is a healing therapy proven to help reduce stress, relieve pain, and improve immune system function. Massage is the perfect example of the positive impact of touch.
• Use kind words. Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, PhD, of Ohio State University conducted a study of newlyweds that found that language can affect cortisol levels. Cortisol is a stress hormone; as stress increases, the levels of cortisol increase in the blood. The couples with positive interactions (using positive words) experienced a boost in immunity and reduction of the risk of heart disease because they were keeping stress hormones low.
• Look inward. How can we expect to love another person or for a person to love us if we do not love ourselves? Take some time to become your own friend; learn about yourself and accept yourself for who you are. Meditation, yoga, and journaling provide you with an opportunity to connect with and love yourself.
• Be inspired by love – and don’t wait for Valentine’s Day. Or your anniversary. Or a holiday. Let love be a part of your life every day in one way or another. The more open you are to love, the more you open yourself up to the benefits of love.
• Take time to rejoice in nature, check out the sunset, cuddle with your dog, spend time playing with children, have a game night with your friends. Love is everywhere. Believe in it and you will find it exists right where you are right now.

"Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver. "- Barbara De Angelis, PhD.

Join In Balance Center on Valentines Day, Saturday, February 14th for many special offerings designed to help you connect with love!