The Many Ways Love Can Make You Healthier

Your heart is pounding, your knees are weak, your belly’s full of butterflies, and you have stars in your eyes. It’s pretty hard to deny that being in love feels good. But did you know being in love is also good for you? It turns out that falling head over heels has quite a few tangible health benefits. Studies indicate that love impacts our mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing in unexpected ways, and might even help us live longer.

1. Love Is a Stress-Buster

It’s no surprise that having the support of someone who loves you makes it easier to cope with stressful situations. But it turns out that love itself can reduce stress on a chemical level. As you move out of the honeymoon phase with your partner, oxytocin — the bonding hormone — starts to settle in. This hormone, which gives you the “warm and fuzzies” when you’re cuddling, is also a powerful stress reliever. Being in the presence of your loved one, or even just thinking about them, boosts oxytocin, which can lower adrenaline and cortisol levels.