"The deepest need of man, then, is to overcome his separateness, to leave the prison of his aloneness."
Erich Fromm, The Art of Loving
The health benefits of love are well researched - lower stress, anxiety and depression, lower blood pressure, faster healing, better immunity. Longer, happier lives. It is no wonder that there is so much emphasis on finding "the one". A beloved to break the bars of isolation and induce a chemical completeness that is akin to a superpower.
This is more than just a fairytale. Love shows up in the dopamine reward area of the brain, where pleasurable behaviors (including eating) are reinforced. Oxytocin - aka the love hormone - is released with touch, to strengthen relationship bonds and boost immunity. But if you are thwarted in your search for a romantic partner, these chemicals work just as well on a Family & Friends contract.
Friendship has been described as "the happiest and most fully human of all loves" (C.S. Lewis) and yet is is increasingly undervalued. In terms of influence, your friend group is primarily responsible for informing your behavior and establishing what is acceptable. If your friends are kind, healthy, active and generous, chances are that you are all these things too.
Make a conscious effort to understand and appreciate the people around you so that your friendships are fulfilling and you are surrounded by people who love you.
Rampant commercialization aside, Valentine's Day now recognizes the value in celebrating love in all its forms, with tokens of love gifted to children, friends and lovers. But every day is an opportunity for us to flex our love, to express it in our language, our actions, who we spend time with and who we touch. In this way, every day offers us to opportunity to boost our health and the health of the ones we love.
Big hugs!
PS. Exclamations of love are assured with these delicious Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies https://preppykitchen.com/oatmeal-chocolate-chip-cookies/
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