Love is GOOD for you!
LOVE is in the air! This time of year we can't escape messages about love. Whether you think Valentine's Day is a marketing ploy of the greeting card and candy companies or you dive in head first as a good excuse to celebrate and show your love to others... know that I'm sending you love energy today!
While most of us think of love as just a feeling, and some of us realize it's a choice, did you know that it's also a critical part of enjoying good health??
According to Carmelia Ray of YourTango,
Here are the three main health benefits of love…
1. Love produces positive emotions.
Love is known to bring about many positive emotions. Laughter is one of those emotions. Laughter is known to be healing to the soul and good for your mental well-being. As they say, “laughter is the best medicine.”
It’s a very powerful antidote to fight stress, conflict and pain both mentally and physically. Love also has the power to heal and renew one’s mental, emotional and physical well being. Research shows that loving acts neutralize the kind of negative emotions that adversely affect immune, endocrine and cardiovascular function.
2. Love helps you live longer and fight disease.
There have been studies that show even patients who are diagnosed with cancer have recovered from cancer treatment faster when they had strong family connections. Also, those in loving partnerships recovered quicker or completely eliminated the cancer with no scientific explanation other than the fact the patient had great love and support from close family and friends.
The feeling of “butterflies in your stomach” is an actual physical reaction caused when our body responds to the strong attraction that is felt when one is “falling in love” or “in love” with someone else. Physically, your heart rate increases, which causes increased blood flow to all parts of your body including your sexual organs. This actually has a positive effect on the mind and body.
3. Love keeps the doctor away.
Many studies prove that people in a loving, long-term relationship have longer average life spans than those that are not in a partnership. Typically, when you’re in a relationship, your partner cares about your health. Therefore, he or she will encourage you to watch your health and discourage bad habits such as smoking, doing drugs or working too much. No one who loves another person wants to see their partner sick.
“Love triggers the hormone oxytocin which makes us feel good. It also lowers the levels of stress chemicals in our system. Physical contact like cuddles, hugs and kisses trigger the production of oxytocin,” said Jodi Prohofsky, Ph.D., L.M.F.T
So if you want to feel good, have a strong immune system and stay healthy ~ show some love to everyone! Every day. Choosing to love has a great impact on our emotional and physical well-being!
Make sure that you get (and give!) your daily dose of hugs, affection, smiles and physical activity! ....you'll LOVE what it feels like!
Much Love,
