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Friends & Lovers: The Heart of the Matter
Connecting with other people is an important part of taking care of your mind and body. Positive relationships, whether they're with friends, family, colleagues or coworkers, greatly impact numerous lifestyle choices and can help curb unhealthy habits.
A TWO-WAY STREET:
Giving and receiving puts people in a good mood and creates a contagious, self-sustaining sense of well-being that can stave off stress, doubt, low self-esteem and a host of other psychological maladies.
A good mood, in turn, makes you more extroverted, energetic and alert. You're more likely to get out of bed or off the couch and do things. Any kind of activity, even if it's just walking around the mall with a friend, is a key component to boosting the immune system.
Conversely, toxic relationships can have the opposite effect on your emotional health. Think twice about whether you can afford to stay immersed in negativity or continue putting in the effort required to maintain connections that, truthfully, no longer work.
MORE IS MORE:
Daily face time with other people -- and we're not talking the smartphone kind -- is essential. Physical interactions are an important way to sustain a true connection as well as get essential reality checks.
Dedicating your time and energies to being with people you care about also gives you a necessary break from solitude, which can be harmful. Research has shown that loneliness can impair health by raising levels of stress hormones and inflammation, which can increase your risk for heart disease, arthritis, diabetes and dementia.
LIFELONG FRIEND:
Having at least one brother or sister is another healthy blessing. Siblings have been through it all, good and bad. They've most likely covered for one another. As a result, they share a special bond.
Certainly, siblings often fight. But familial conflict conveys valuable life lessons too. It can teach children -- and some late-learning adults -- emotional moderation, cooperation and the ability to reconcile differences. In later years especially, the unique history shared by siblings offers unparalleled support.
LOVE LIFE:
Humans have a strong desire to be touched, nurtured and loved, which is why physically intimate relationships have many advantages. Sexual interaction decreases production of cortisol, the stress hormone that contributes to high blood pressure. Hugs, kisses and orgasms release oxytocin, a hormone that fights depression and contributes to euphoria and well-being.
Regularly participating in intimate contact also increases the immune-boosting antibodies called immunoglobulins, blood proteins that act as first responders in the fight against infection.
Additionally, having sex can be an incredible workout. It strengthens crucial pelvic and back muscles, improves flexibility -- which, in turn, may exercise other muscles -- and boosts cardiovascular health. It's also a terrific natural sleep aid!
Naturally, intimate physical interaction with and individual will change over time. The early connections, however, lay the foundation for a solid, lifelong friendship -- and an essential safe haven.