Spread The Love!

“We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another.” — Lucretius

February 14th — love, hearts, flowers, chocolate (yes, I went there!)… a day when crushes are revealed, love is celebrated, and romance winds through the air like a promise. And it’s powerful stuff — intoxicating — a force that draws us in with each flap of Cupid’s wings.

As if that weren’t reason enough to spread the love, it turns out love is good for you, too:

• It makes you look good — really. Love reduces stress; less stress means less cortisol; lower cortisol can mean clearer skin. Being in love also tends to spark the motivation to move and care for ourselves — and it makes you smile, and people simply look better when they smile.
• It sparks your immune system — close friendships, meaningful connection, and loving partnerships (happy teams who communicate and work through conflict) all help strengthen immunity.
• It reduces fear and pain — holding the hand of someone you love can actually change how the brain perceives fear and pain. In a study by neuroscientist Richard Davidson at the University of Wisconsin, women received mild electric shocks while their brains were imaged. Fear and pain readings dropped from high (no hand-holding) to moderate (a stranger’s hand) to low (a romantic partner’s hand).
• It helps you live longer — long-term, committed relationships are linked with less stress, fewer risky behaviors, more communication, and more hope. A healthier, happier you.
• It makes you happy — from dopamine to oxytocin, love hands us the happy brain chemicals. As anthropologist Helen Fisher puts it, “The bottom line is, the dopamine rush that comes from being in love gives you tremendous energy and optimism.”
• It supports heart health — don’t give up your workouts, but being in love raises adrenaline, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. As they move through your blood, your heart beats faster and stronger — much as it does when you go for a run.
• It changes lives — whether it’s love for a child, a grandparent, a partner, a friend, or a pet, love brings out the best in us and sparks the best in others. Connection is powerful. Just hug a dog and tell me you don’t feel it — or perform a random act of kindness and notice the surge of love that follows.

I know Valentine’s Day can seem superficial, but it celebrates love — and really, what is more beautiful? Try this simple meditation: take a few minutes to think of someone you love. Focus on why you love them, and on what you truly appreciate about them. As you list all that you are grateful for, you’ll likely feel lifted. It is amazing how experiencing love and gratitude — even in meditation — can fill us with our own sense of peace, importance, and joy.

I hope you fill this Valentine’s Day with unconditional love and random acts of kindness. And may you always feel the wings of many angels as they embrace you.