Not just at Valentine’s Day, but all year around, it is important to remind yourself that there is so much more to love than just romantic love. There is love of life, love of nature, love of animals, love of others, and love of self, and all of these acts of love provide amazing health benefits.
Here are some reasons to show some love this Valentine’s Day;
1. Loving Relationships Strengthen Mental Wellbeing
We often think that Valentine’s Day is just for couples, but it doesn’t have to be confined to romance. In fact, medical researchers have found that individuals with a loving support network, “which can come from friends, family, members of societies you belong to” mitigates psychological distress and makes for a happier and mentally healthier life.
2. Love improves self-esteem, which leads to better self-care.
Self-love is key because when you love yourself, you are much more likely to engage in activities that contribute to better nutrition and physical fitness, and less likely to make unhealthy lifestyle choices.
3. Love is a great antidote to stress
Even low levels of stress cause the body to release cortisol, which is associated with an increased risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and depression. Love down regulates the production of cortisol and encourages your body to produce oxytocin, the “feel-good” or “love” hormone. Oxytocin can reduce cardiovascular stress and improve the immune system, which in turn decreases cell death and inflammation. Love also causes the production in your brain of norepinephrine and dopamine (both hormones associated with adrenaline), which leads to increased feelings of joy and pleasure. Love really is your best medicine.
4. Love decreases anxiety and staves off depression
This in turn also reduces the signs and symptoms of heart disease.
5. Love decreases inflammation, improves your immune system, and can be a potent pain reliever.
A recent study showed that people who are lonely develop more reactivation of latent viruses than those that are well connected.
So whether you’re in a relationship or single this Valentine’s day, remember to show the love!