VALENTINE’S Day is usually about hearts, flowers and chocolate, but it’s time to give love some love too, writes Ella Walker.
The health benefits of it are huge.
GettyLove, whether it’s for a partner, friend or family, won’t just give you that warm, fuzzy feeling. It actually supports your health too[/caption]
GP Dr Rachel Ward of Woodlands Medical Centre, Didcot, tells Sun Health: “Loving someone and feeling loved is associated with increased happiness and fewer mental health issues. Having meaningful relationships is so important, they can increase our life expectancy.”
Researchers at the University of Luxembourg have even found that being married cuts your risk of type 2 diabetes.
But it’s not all about romantic love, so don’t worry if you don’t have a date this Valentine’s.
Any meaningful relationship can give you a “sense of purpose and belonging”, says Dr Ward.
“If a relationship – romantic or non-romantic – stops you from feeling isolated and lonely it is likely to have a positive impact on your health.”
Dr Meg Arroll, psychologist and author of Tiny Traumas (Thorsons), says we focus “too exclusively” on romantic love, which can mean we miss out on important sources of social support, bonding and connectedness – “all of which are vital for mental and physical health.”
Loving yourself is crucial too.
Dr Arroll says: “When we truly care about ourselves we tend not to engage in harmful behavioural patterns like substance misuse, overwork, perfectionism and emotional eating.”
The benefits of… Love
HERE’S how love can give your health a lift . . .
NOT SO BLUE
BEING in a relationship can slash your risk of depression.
Researchers at Ohio State University published findings that confirmed happily married people were less likely to develop depression than unmarried and single people.
Getty‘Love also creates a sense of security and comfort, which can help reduce anxiety’[/caption]
Anita Bains, a practice nurse and psychotherapist at Cognomovement (cognomovement.com), says: “Love has the power to heal us in countless ways.”
She added that the decreased chance of depression “may be due to the emotional support and companionship a partner provides, which can help alleviate loneliness and isolation” both of which can lead to depression.
Veronika Matutyte, gerontologist and health sciences expert at adult online store peachesand screams.co.uk, adds: “A loving relationship gives you a sense of belonging and purpose, which can help with isolation.
“Love also creates a sense of security and comfort, which can help reduce anxiety.”
This is crucial because, according to the US National Institute On Aging, prolonged loneliness can have a negative impact on health equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
SINGLE? The Campaign to End Loneliness says loneliness is likely to increase your risk of death by 26 per cent.
But romantic love isn’t the only answer. Before anything else, it suggests reconnecting with old friends and joining groups to make new connections.
LIFELONG LOVE
SPEAKING of cigarettes, being coupled up makes it easier to quit the habit, which is one of the major causes of preventable death in the UK.
Ditching nicotine is not as difficult if your partner has previously quit, or is a non-smoker, according to research from the University of Western Ontario, published in The Journals of Gerontology.
Statistics Netherlands found that 23 per cent of heavy smokers — on more than 20 a day — don’t make it to 65 and, on average, the habit shortens their lifespan by 13 years.
So being loved up can help you live to a grand old age.
Veronika says: “Healthy relationships or marriages are an important source of emotional and social support, which reduces inflammation, stress, depression and anxiety. As a result, you will live longer.”
That support is why researchers at the University of California, San Diego, believe married cancer patients have a better chance of survival.
Another study, from Brigham Young University, Utah, found social connections — friends, family, neighbours or colleagues — improve our odds of surviving cancer by 50 per cent.
SINGLE? Brigham Young University research discovered a lack of strong relationships (romantic or otherwise) increased the risk of premature death from all causes by 50 per cent. Meaning close friendships are just as important for longevity.
STRESS BUSTER
STUDIES have shown that couples who support each other during times of stress tend to experience lower levels of anxiety than those who do so alone.
Anita says: “Physical affection, such as holding hands, can help release endorphins.”
These happy hormones reduce stress, bump up wellbeing and can even reduce pain.
GettyStudies have shown that couples who support each other during times of stress tend to experience lower levels of anxiety than those who do so alon[/caption]
Veronika adds: “Giving and receiving love can stimulate your parasympathetic nervous system, which relaxes you after moments of stress or danger.”
Pippa Murphy, sex and relationship expert at condoms.co.uk, says: “Being in a relationship reduces stress levels by 50 per cent compared to being single.
“You share the responsibility for everything from paying the bills to cooking dinner.
“The less stress you have, the lower your risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.”
SINGLE? Cuddling your friends counts too, as does having a housemate to share bills.
What’s more, in 2021 scientists at the Beckman Institute found that female friendship specifically reduced levels of stress hormone cortisol.
FITNESS BUNNIES
BEING in love means you are likely to move more.
Anita says: “This may be because partners often encourage each other to exercise, which boosts overall health.”
And regular exercise helps stave off obesity, type 2 diabetes, stroke, early death and cancer. It can also improve sleep, mood, and muscle and bone strength.
That extra exercise will boost endorphin levels too, leaving you happier, which can help reduce your risk of high blood pressure and poor sleep.
Pippa says love is an all-round moodbooster: “Having someone who loves and cares about you makes it easier for you to feel good about yourself and increases self-confidence because you know there’s someone there for support.”
SINGLE? You don’t have to be in love with someone to work out with them regularly and gain all these benefits.
Commit to going swimming or for a walk with a friend or neighbour each week for a fitness and confidence boost.
DREAM PARTNER
AS long as your partner isn’t a snorer, sharing a bed can improve sleep — and getting enough good-quality shut-eye reduces obesity, type 2 diabetes, anxiety, depression and even dementia risk.
GettyPhysical touch releases oxytocin, which not only strengthens attachment within a relationship, but diminishes negative feelings[/caption]
Theresa Schnorbach, a sleep scientist with Emma: The Sleep Company, says: “Cuddling with a partner before sleep is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety.
“Physical touch releases oxytocin, which not only strengthens attachment within a relationship, but diminishes negative feelings.”
SINGLE? Sleep expert Dr Neil Stanley said there are benefits to having a bed all to yourself.
He said: “Sleeping with another person is quite unnatural — humans are the only animals that do it.
“Ideally, you need your own sleeping spaces to optimise and prioritise your sleep.”
The benefits of… Sex
IT’S not just love that can boost your wellbeing. Sex can too.
In a Sun Health poll, 75 per cent of readers said they had sex on average once a week. Of those who miss out, almost half blame it on being tired or lack of time.
GettyIt’s not just love that can boost your wellbeing. Sex can too[/caption]
Dr Ward says you should jump into bed with a partner more often because: “Increasing your sexual activity is great for getting your heart rate going, boosting endorphins and mood, and will in turn improve your energy levels.”
IMMUNE BOOST
YOUR immune system may thank you for finding a life partner.
Anita says: “This may be because partners tend to share their germs with each other, which can help to strengthen the immune system over time.”
The emotional support involved and lowered stress levels also give your immune system a helping hand, and getting frisky between the sheets can do wonders too.
Pippa says: “Having sex can boost your immune system by increasing levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA), an antibody that fights infection in mucous membranes like those in the respiratory and digestive tracts.
“People with higher IgA levels have stronger immune systems overall.”
HEART AND LUNGS
SEX is a good workout for the heart and blood vessels, especially for women.
Pippa says: “According to one study from the New England Research Institute in Massachusetts, having sex twice a week can lower your risk of heart disease by almost 50 per cent — the more sex you have, the lower your risk.”
Getty‘According to one study from the New England Research Institute in Massachusetts, having sex twice a week can lower your risk of heart disease by almost 50 per cent’[/caption]
She adds: “Because your heart rate increases during sex, it’s good for your cardiovascular system — keeping your heart strong and improving blood flow throughout your body.
“It helps keep blood pressure in check and reduces the risk of high blood pressure.
“Sex also helps keep cholesterol levels down by lowering levels of triglycerides, which are fats in your blood that can increase your risk of heart disease if they are too high.”
It can help you burn energy and lose weight too. According to Quebec University, Canadian men burn 4.2 calories a minute during sex, and women 3.2 calories.
Pippa says: “While that amount might seem negligible compared to other forms of exercise, it’s still more than enough to give your heart rate a workout while getting the blood pumping through your body.”
SLEEP TIGHT
DON’T put off a bit of nookie before bed — it could help you drift off.
Pippa says: “Try having sex before you go to sleep and chances are that you’ll not only fall asleep faster, but you’ll maintain a healthy sleep cycle throughout the night, too.
GettyDon’t be put off a bit of nookie before bed — it could help you drift off[/caption]
“Studies featured in a review by the University of Ottawa in 2016 show that sex can help with insomnia and other sleep-related issues because of the release of oxytocin, which lowers your blood pressure and reduces stress levels, both of which can cause restless sleep or insomnia.”
She adds: “Orgasming releases prolactin, a hormone that promotes rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.”
And REM sleep is vital for memory, learning dreams and processing emotions.
HOT, HOT, HOT
SEX can leave you so hot under the collar you won’t even need to switch the heating on, always handy during the cost-of-living crisis.
Pippa says: “During sex, your body releases endorphins and dopamine, hormones that make you feel good and happy, which helps to regulate body temperature.
When your body temperature rises during sex, it triggers an increase in blood flow to the skin, which helps you stay warm and cosy under the covers (or wherever else) afterwards.”
Never mind the energy bills, it’s good for your health too — being warm enough makes it easier to fight off infection.
WHY IT’S WORTH GOING SOLO TO BE REWARDED WITH THE BIG O
NOT having a long-term partner doesn’t need to be a barrier to you having fun, regular sex so long as you keep safe.
But even if you’re not dating right now, solo sex can do wonders for your wellbeing.
Orgasming alone is often more guaranteed than with a partner, and will still give you that prolactin release for better REM sleep, along with a rush of feel-good endorphins. Reaching the big O releases oxytocin too, which can help lower blood pressure and stress levels.
Researchers at Harvard University have also found that men who ejaculated 21 times a month cut their risk of contracting prostate cancer by a third , while scientists at the University Clinic of Essen found sexual arousal and orgasm activated leukocytes, part of the body’s immune system.