The Beatles once claimed, “All you need is love,” a sentiment that may have some scientific backing considering the numerous health benefits associated with happy relationships. As Valentine’s Day draws near, those in romantic relationships will get ready to mark the occasion. While the health-conscious may hesitate with sweets and lavish dinners, it’s worth noting the numerous health benefits tied to dating and romantic partnerships.
Many people understand that sex can be a form of physical activity, comparable to light exercise like climbing stairs, and can be safely enjoyed even by those with heart disease (provided they can perform similar activities without chest pain). But there are even more health benefits linked to being in a romantic relationship.
The heart, often used as a symbol of love, can literally benefit from love. Research suggests that a satisfying relationship can improve survival rates following coronary bypass surgery, a treatment for serious heart disease. The same satisfaction in relationships was found to be as crucial for survival as traditional risk factors like obesity and tobacco consumption.
This positive outcome might be tied to healthy behaviors that happy relationships tend to foster, such as quitting smoking or maintaining fitness. Simple acts of intimacy, aside from sex, can also reportedly promote cardiovascular health. A study found couples who held hands for ten minutes and followed it with a 20-second hug responded healthier to a public speaking task than participants who simply rested calmly.
This study suggests that a supportive partner provides affection that reduces reactions to stressful life events, indicating that such relationships might contribute to better cardiovascular health. High blood pressure can lead to serious conditions like heart failure, stroke, and heart attack, along with an increased risk for cognitive decline in later years. But a relationship can benefit more than just the heart; it is also linked to improved mental health.
Having sex can decrease stress levels, as a study involving 46 men and women discovered. The participants who had sex reportedly handled stress better than their abstaining counterparts. Even self-perception of well-being is improved by sex. A larger study involving 3000 individuals aged 57-85 found those who were sexually active rated their health much higher than others.
This study also emphasized the importance of finding satisfaction in relationships overall. Participants who were in close relationships were found to be more likely to rate their health as either “excellent” or “very good.”
Mayo Clinic suggests that this positive thinking could lead to lower risks for various health conditions. The beneficial effects of being in a romantic relationship can be better understood by exploring the aftermath of relationship terminations caused by breakups or death.
While always personal, no two experiences of love are identical. People are attracted to different personalities and have different expectations from relationships. As such, it’s not surprising that love has varying health implications.
Recently, a study examined the impact of reactions to closeness in relationships on pain relief. Normally, the presence of a partner in painful situations is deemed comforting, but the study found that this wasn’t always the case.
In a study involving 39 women, those who avoided closeness in their relationships reportedly experienced more pain when their partners were present than when they were absent. For women with a strong bond with their partners, reduced pain levels might be attributed to oxytocin, nicknamed “the love hormone.”
Exploring neurobiology can help uncover more about the health benefits of love and could possibly offer avenues to transfer these benefits to single people. Reading about the health benefits of being in a couple could potentially be disheartening for singles, but worry not. Research shows that a strong network of friends can bring many of the same benefits as a romantic relationship.
Evidence also suggests that those choosing celibacy can lead lives that are equally healthy and long. So, while being in a relationship is definitely a cause to celebrate, especially around Valentine’s Day, it’s not the only way to enjoy good health and longevity. Anyone, regardless of their relationship status, can lead a healthy life.