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The top 10 health benefits of LOVE
A few documented health benefits of love.
Love certainly feels good. Many people have been longing for love ever since they were born in this world. Everyone falls in it and why the effort to elude its trap when it makes us feel good after all. But physical effects of love and just how simple it is to get the benefits may surprise you.
Several studies indicate that married people who have plenty of love in their lives tend to be healthier than those who remain single. Love can keep you healthy mentally, physically, socially and spiritually too. Here are a few documented benefits of love:
1. Reduces stress
Love can be a very effective way of reducing stress levels. When in an intimate relationship, the adrenaline glands produce dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) hormone that acts as a stress buster. A passionate relationship relieves tension, reduces negative energy and produces a sense of well being. Furthermore, the support of someone who loves you can help you cope better when you are facing a stressor.
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The top 10 health benefits of LOVE
2. Promotes mental health
The calming effect of dehydroepiandrosterone over the mind and body raises the growth of nerves. It is also helpful in restoring the growth of nerves which results in an improved memory recall.
The top 10 health benefits of LOVE
3. Anti cancer effect
Married people have been found to have lower cancer rates than singles. A research conducted at the University of Iowa found that ovarian cancer patients who had a strong and satisfying relationship with their partners develop more white blood cells which are desirable in killing cancerous cells.
The top 10 health benefits of LOVE
4. Reduces pain
Love results in more activation in the part of the brain that keeps pain under control. A study of 127,000 adults confirmed that married people were less likely to complain of headaches and back pain. The happier the marriage, the greater the effect.
The reduced stress level also leads to pain relief, especially if you suffer from things such as chronic headaches.
The top 10 health benefits of LOVE
5. Better blood circulation
When talking to someone it finds attractive, your brain sends impulses to the heart making it pound faster than normal; this results in increased blood supply to the body, improved circulation and efficient working of all organs.
The top 10 health benefits of LOVE
6. Live longer
Lack of love causes social isolation which increases the risk of early death by up to five times. A study confirmed that married people live longer because they feel loved and connected as oppose to the isolated ones. Since 1979, the National Longitudinal Mortality Study has been studying more than a million subjects and found that unmarried people are being outlived by the married ones.
Another study found that married people have shorter average hospital stays and fewer doctor's visits. Researchers believe that this is due to the fact that people in good relationships take better care of themselves. Also, marriage contributes to a decline in drug abuse and heavy drinking, especially among young adults.
The top 10 health benefits of LOVE
7. Lowers blood pressure
According to a study in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine, happily married people had the best blood pressure as compared to singles or unhappily married people. Study also found that the singles with a strong social network also did well in the blood pressure study.
The top 10 health benefits of LOVE
8. Reduced risk of heart diseases
Expressing your feelings of affection can reduce cholesterol levels. Human Communication Research found that people who expressed their feelings of affection for significant friends, relatives, and/or romantic partners had significantly lower cholesterol levels than those that didn't.
Lower cholesterol levels result in reduced chances of a heart attack and other cardiovascular diseases.
The top 10 health benefits of LOVE
9. Faster healing
Researchers found that wounds heal faster in people who are in a loving relationship. According to the study, the blister wounds healed nearly twice as fast in couples who were happy and calm compared to those who appeared hostile or depressed.
Researchers also found that people who are in love are less likely to get sick by the viruses of cold and flu.
The top 10 health benefits of LOVE
10. Forever young
Dehydroepiandrosterone also acts as an 'anti-aging' hormone, which produces feelings of youth and vitality. Adding to that, the increase blood flow to the skin due to the endorphins produced by the body when in love, helps keep it soft and smooth, and reduce the development of wrinkles.
Love is much more than just genes, chemicals and hormones. So if you are a person who is very much conscious about health and wellness, learn to love deeply and sincerely. If you want to live longer then learn to love harder!