By Robin Stoloff
Health & Wellness
Love isn’t just a beautiful sentiment or the subject of endless songs, it’s a force that profoundly impacts our health, happiness and longevity.
As we celebrate the season of love, science backs up what music has been telling us for decades: love is truly life-enhancing. Frank Sinatra once crooned, “Love is a Many Splendored Thing.”
The classic tune captures the beauty of love, but did you know love also has amazing health advantages? Whether it is romantic, platonic, or familial, love has measurable benefits for our well-being.
When Huey Lewis and the News belted out, “The Power of Love” in 1985, they were onto something. While their hit was about a fast-paced, romantic, sparks-flying kind of love, we all know love comes in many forms. It is one of the most potent forces that affects our health, happiness and even our lifespan.
Love is not just an emotion; it’s a physiological advantage. Holding hands, kissing, or just knowing someone cares can have incredible effects on your body. Love triggers the release of oxytocin, the “love hormone,” which helps reduce stress, strengthen the immune system and lower inflammation.
When stress hits hard, a hug from the right person can bring instant relief. That’s because love lowers cortisol levels, easing anxiety and protecting the heart. So when Bill Withers told us to “Lean on Me,” he was not just offering emotional support; he was giving solid health advice.
We use the heart as a symbol of love and for good reason, since it literally benefits from it. While love can certainly make our heart race, it also helps keep it beating steady. Studies show that having a loving, supportive relationship can make us healthier and increase our lifespan. People in happy relationships tend to have lower blood pressure and healthier heart rates. They also get sick less often and heal faster when they do. Research suggests that married people generally live longer than their single counterparts.
Here is another benefit of love – it can reduce physical pain, acting as a natural painkiller. Research shows that holding hands with a loved one can diminish the perception of pain and simply looking at a photo of someone we love can activate the brain’s pain-relief mechanisms. Love, it turns out, is a powerful remedy, no prescription necessary!
The emotional security that comes with a loving relationship helps regulate our nervous system and reduces stress. The Jackson 5 did not just promise “I’ll Be There,” they tapped into love’s power to heal, soothe and uplift. And when Ben E. King sang “Stand by Me,” it was a reminder that support is essential for well-being. Deep friendships, family ties and even strong community bonds can have the same life-extending effects.
Reflecting on the lyrics of “All of Me” by John Legend, Elvis’ classic “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” and “I Will Always Love You,” made famous by Whitney Houston, we find themes of unwavering affection and heartfelt promises. These songs remind us that, despite life’s twists and turns, a deep and steadfast love and devotion can be a source of endless joy and well-being.
In the rhythm of life, love becomes our guiding melody. So this February, as we celebrate love in its many forms, we are reminded by the band Boston that it’s “More Than a Feeling.”
Love is a powerful force that nurtures our bodies, minds and souls. It is the key to living a longer, healthier and happier life – and that’s something to sing about!
Robin is a former television reporter for NBC News 40. Currently she hosts a radio show called “Living Well with Robin Stoloff.” Additionally, she has a podcast, expanding on this mission. You can email Robin at robin.stoloff@gmail.com
