Love is in the air and Valentine’s Day is almost upon us! While we may experience different kinds of love: love for our children, family, best friends, animals, and mankind in general, probably nothing gets our hearts racing as romantic love does. It could be flirty and fun or maddening and passionate. It might be a deep, profound connection that makes the world seem more beautiful (and rush hour more endurable). Either way, it brings on a sense of happiness and renewed energy. So, as the song goes, “I know, something about love” (humming “Tell Him” by Linda Ronstadt), so let’s talk about why it’s so good for us!
Let’s talk science (doesn’t sound sexy…yet)!
Love is deeply connected to our neurotransmitters and hormones. “Love” hormones trigger and are triggered by different reactions and feelings about our partner. Hormones related to feelings of safety and security, a heightened sense of relaxation, increased happiness, etc. all can have many positive effects on our health, including promoting general longevity and boosting immunity and even creativity.
First date jitters
Butterflies fluttering in your stomach? Feeling inexplainably hot and bothered? There’s science behind that. Especially during the courtship stage of love, our cortisol levels increase dramatically. This chemical reaction is responsible for your unwanted sweaty palms and jitters. Cortisol levels get back to normal once you get more comfortable (3rd date?).
I can’t stop thinking about him!
Is your new love constantly on your mind? That’s serotonin triggering your emotional response and bringing your beloved’s face into your mind over and over and over again.
I’m walking on sunshine!
You know that amazing feeling you have when you are first with someone? How everything is exciting and wonderful? That’s dopamine, a hormone that plays a number of important roles in the human body. Dopamine helps our brains interpret and take stock of vital areas. Present in early-stage and long-term love, dopamine helps couples feel closer and more energetic about their companionship.
We’re staying in tonight.
Ever feel like snuggling up to your significant other for a movie night and a quiet dinner instead of partying with your friends? Introducing oxytocin. A chemical that bonds couples, lowers stress and creates a sense of intimacy.
We’re staying in tonight (part deux).
Testosterone isn’t only a hormone found in men, this hormone increases with feelings of love for both genders. Its production results in an increased sexual desire for your significant other.
Honey, this dinner is amazing.
With hormones on hyper drive and oxytocin surging, is it any wonder that even your food tastes better? It’s true. Food literally tastes better when you’re in love.
Yet another reason to get that sexy on!
Regular sex can improve immune function and research has shown that it can even prevent you from getting the flu!
Check out what Natalie Geld says in her blog Why Are We Whispering: Your body produces higher levels of immunoglobulin (IGA), an antibody that can thwart colds and flus where those germs most often enter the body, through mucosal linings, when you regularly have sex—2-3 times per week. What makes this discovery so curious is how the body uses sex to prevent illness so that you can, presumably, have more sex. Nothing can ruin your sex life like a hacking cough or the stomach flu, and it appears the body knows this and works homeopathically to prevent it.
Researchers in Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania tested subjects who showed an immune response that was at least 33 percent higher in people who had sex approximately two times per week versus those who had no sex, or those who had "extremely high" levels of intercourse. (It seems you can orgasm yourself right into the flu too.) Moderately balanced activity serves to create a well-balanced body.
So remember while on your Valentine’s Day date this year, love is more than chocolate, roses, expensive dinners and jewelry. It helps you feel better and ultimately makes you a better you! Happy Valentine’s Day!