IT’S THE POWER OF LOVE

(Source: FIT, AMNY)

By Roxanne Anderson

Many of us diet and exercise but just can’t seem to get to our own personal level of optimum health. The missing ingredient could be love, which is part of something that many health counselors call “primary food.” Health and love are fundamentally linked.

Love makes you live longer
Studies done by Dr. Dean Ornish, founder of the Preventive Medicine Research Institute, have shown that love actually helps us live longer. He believes that the time we spend with friends and family is essential for survival. In addition, research published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health shows that people who never marry are almost two-thirds more likely to suffer from premature death. This finding suggests that marriage represents an effective social connectedness to another person.

Hugs are good for the heart
A team from the University of North Carolina studied the effects of hugging on both partners in 38 couples. The study showed hugs increased levels of oxytocin, a “bonding” hormone, and reduced blood pressure — which cuts the risk of heart disease. Most adults today are starved for touch, but a little bit goes a long way.

Satisfying relationships help fight cancer
The University of Iowa found that cancer patients with satisfying relationships had more white blood cell activity than those with few social connections. Also, the work of Dr. Bernie Siegel, author of “365 Prescriptions for the Soul,” cites studies that reveal that among cancer patients married men live longer than single men, and that married male smokers have fewer cases of lung cancer than their single counterparts. Being well connected with people is an essential part of life. Bring more love into your life by strengthening your current relationships. Think about what you really want from other people, and experiment with the amount of alone time versus social time that is right for you and your social network. Most important, don’t forget plenty of hugs.