We love love. And, we’re not necessarily talking about the passionate kind of love, but the more general type of affection and personal attachment. Love is good for the heart. Research has shown that having a strong support system, whether a spouse, family members or friends, is associated with lower levels of hardened arteries and reduces the risk of both fatal and non-fatal heart attacks among men and women of all ages. Below are four other ways why love is good for our health:
- Better mental health – Feeling socially isolated is clearly linked to higher rates of depression. Being loved has a positive effect on the brain. Dr. Braverman of Rutgers University found that when people looked at photos of people they love deeply, they experienced an increase of dopamine, which is associated with optimism and a sense of well-being.
- Better physical health – Love is a powerful antidote to fight stress and the effects of stress on the body as well as pain. Research shows that loving acts neutralize the kind of negative emotions that adversely affect immune, endocrine and cardiovascular function. There have been studies that show that cancer patients have recovered from treatment faster when they had strong family connections.
- Live longer – Research is just starting to show and strong link between love and joy. Even the affection of a pet can add years to a person’s life. Love offers an emotional explanation to living longer as well because love fends off feelings of loneliness. When people feel loved and connected, they tend to live longer.
- Live happier – Research is just starting to show how strong the link between love and joy is. A study in the Journal of Family Psychology reveals that happiness depends more on the quality of family relationships than on the level of income. In other words, money can’t buy happiness and spending time with loved ones is good for us.
Here are a few suggestions for fostering loving relationships:
Be kind – Have you done something nice for someone you love lately? Do something unexpected – a random act of kindness – to brighten a loved one’s day.
Be consistent – Being “emotionally consistent”, which means being a dependable person, allows the other person to know how and when they can count on you. People want to know what they may expect from you.
Be emotionally available – Be willing to talk about your feelings and listen to others speak about theirs. You will enjoy more moments of intimacy and joy when you are emotionally there for someone.
Be physically available – Affection is an important part of connecting. Just being in a close physical proximity to someone can enhance attachment to them. Spend quality time with loved ones in-person.
Be forgiving – No relationship is problem-free. Relationships grow deeper and more meaningful by working through conflict. Be willing to say you’re sorry and let go of resentment. Carrying stress with you is bad for your health.
The more love and care we put into our relationships, the more we can receive in return.
