The lovebug’s side effects
Being in love boosts your well-being in more ways than one
A racing heart, flushed cheeks, and butterflies in the stomach— most people would recognize these sensations as part of the feeling of falling in love. And it’s true when they say love is powerful: More than the warm and fuzzy feeling it gives, being happily in love goes beyond skin- deep.
The same brain chemicals linked to drug addiction are activated when a person is in love, thus the feeling that love, much like drugs, can be intoxicating. Among the feel- good hormones released when one is in a loved- up state is dopamine, which is responsible for making couples feel excited about each other. Dopamine also regulates one’s mood, improves creativity, and heightens the energy level to a hypomaniclike state. Testosterone, meanwhile, is the one responsible for sparking the desire for sex. It complements oxytocin, the hormone that nurtures intimacy and binds partners closer. For new moms, oxytocin also enhances milk production.
Generally, being in love boosts the well- being, starting with the most basic protection: keeping away the pesky cold virus. People who have been bitten by the love bug are found to be more immune to the common cold. This is also true for couples who engage in healthy arguments without retreating or stonewalling each other. They tend to develop better immune systems, contrary to those who resort to animosity, who show a larger decline in immediate immune system function.
Having a significant other is also helpful for stabilizing blood pressure. To have someone to vent to can defer the negative effects of stress and can prevent the spur of cardiovascular diseases.
Love also plays a significant role in the fight to conquer cancer. Researchers from the University of Iowa studied ovarian cancer patients who have strong connections to others, specifically in the romantic aspect. The patients were found to have more robust white blood cells, which are the ones responsible for fighting off cancerous ones.
Ultimately, people who are in love and stay in love attain longer life spans compared to those who aren’t. This can be attributed to humans naturally seeking social connection. Longevity is associated with the joy and optimism that a happy relationship brings.
Marriage counselor and sex researcher Carol Ellison, PhD, once said the love bond is the brass ring of any successful union. Conflicts are inevitable between partners, but prolonged hostility can affect both of their health adversely. With the right approach to conflict resolution, couples can benefit from the long- term benefits of loving each other and prove that love can move mountains, indeed.
“An ideal relationship gives you a place to come home to and recharge your battery. Sitting down with your partner makes you feel calmer. You’re in a secure nest, and you’re less stressed,” Ellison says. “How could that not be good for you?”