LOVE comes in all shapes and sizes – boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife…. and your best friends and family. Regardless of your relationship status, Celebrate Love because LOVE makes us happier and healthier.
Here are some of the ways that Love is good for your health.
reduces stress
Research conducted at Harvard University found that love provides a buffer that can decrease the development of stress. Some studies have shown that happy couples produce less of the hormone cortisol when they’re stressed. This is a good thing because too much cortisol suppresses the immune system leaving us open to colds, flu and worse. It also prompts the body to store fat around the abdominal organs.
stronger immunity
Research has found that people in healthy relationships or close friendships tend to take better care of themselves than those who avoid intimacy. We also know that loneliness and social isolation weaken our immune systems, while research shows that love can help us to heal.
heart health
Researchers at Yale University found that love protects our hearts. According to Dean Ornish, MD, who wrote about the subject for MSNBC, “men and women who felt most loved and supported had substantially less blockage in their coronary arteries.
Sharing feelings can help to reduce cholesterol levels. And healthy relationships that include lots of laughter will improve vascular function, and so will sex.
healthy skin
People in love may appear to be glowing, and it’s not just because they’re giddy, either. Certain endorphins produced when in love actually increase blood flow to the skin, which improves texture and helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines as well as giving you that “healthy glow”.
heal faster
Researchers at the University of Iowa found that ovarian cancer patients in strong relationships had more potent “natural killer” cell activity at the site of their tumors than those who weren’t in healthy relationships.
boosts confidence
People in healthy relationships tend to be more confident in all areas of their life and less prone to depression. They’re often more capable of achieving and maintaining their professional and personal goals.
longer life
Dr. Dean Ornish found that being in a healthy, loving relationship increases longevity as much as five times over those who aren’t.
So, this Valentine’s day…. enjoy the company of your loved ones, because, it’s good for you!
Sources:
The Washington Post
MSNBC
Organic Authority
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