The effects of love on health

The therapeutic rewards of giving and receiving love.

Love is a feeling of devotion or adoration towards another human being. It is an emotional attachment which is not easily dissolved. Real love encourages us to love others without seeking rewards.

Love is a simple yet overwhelming feeling which has the potential to make people heal, blossom and feel good about themselves and the world at large.

Although love is an easily attained emotion there are many people living in our society who are not adept at giving or showing love. Many times in our lives some of us  find that seeking love and validation from our friends, family and personal relationships may prove disappointing because some of these individuals are incapable of loving or may love differently than we do. Love manifests itself in different ways. Through giving we show love.

Participating in the following activities are ways of giving love:

-Praying for others

-Offering to help

-Forgiveness

-Showing kindness

-Really listening

-Paying attention

-Trusting

-Promise without forgetting

-Sharing unpretentiously

It is often in giving love to others that love is shown back to us. There are many of us who look for the more obvious signs of love in grand gestures, disregarding the simple symbols which confirm love and appreciation.

For instance, showing love may be displayed in the following ways:

-Sincere compliment

-A warm hug

-Understanding

-Compassion

-Being respectful

-Effective communicating

-Saying I Love You

-Giving flowers/presents

-A caring phone call

-Hand holding

-Encouragement

-Loyalty

-Being tolerant

Feelings of love create oxytocin, the hormone linked to trust and emotional closeness. It is the hormone which motivates humans to connect with one another. When love is absent all sorts of physical maladies and psychological aberrations take over the human spirit.

Love in itself serves as a prescription for healing. Studies have shown that people in long term relationships and marriages seldom deal with anxiety or complain about aches and pains.

Love has healing benefits such as:

-Keeping the heart pumping (prevents cardiovascular disease)

-Promotes stress management

-Boosts immunity

-Increases longevity

-prevents certain forms of cancer

The health benefits of love is usually derived from consistent and satisfying relationships. (i.e.) long term love relationships, friendships, family connections and marriages. Scientists have proven that people who engage in loving relationships have less bouts of depression, require fewer doctors’ visits, and are less likely to indulge in substance abuse or alcohol consumption.

Love tends to heal the soul and creates a state of being well. Love inspires joy. Therefore when people feel loved, they become joyous, happier, healthier and more optimistic about life.