Being involved in a healthy, loving relationship is good for the heart. Research has shown that people who are married or who are in close, healthy relationships tend to be less stressed, are more physically active, and are more likely to have a well-developed social structure. They may have lower levels of anxiety, may seek medical attention more quickly, and may be more likely to take preventive medications. In fact, a study from Finland has shown that married men and women have a significantly lower risk of both having heart attacks and dying from a heart attack compared to people who were single.
Love is a painkiller. Research at the University of Colorado at Boulder has shown that when lovers touch, their breathing, heartbeats sync and pain wanes. In the study, published in the journal ‘Scientific Reports’, researchers found that the more empathic the partner and the stronger the analgesic effect, the higher the synchronisation between the two when they are touching. Recent studies also show that when people watch an emotional movie or sing together, their heart rates and respiratory rhythms synchronise. When leaders and followers have a good rapport, their brainwaves fall into a similar pattern. And when romantic couples are simply in each other’s presence, their cardiorespiratory and brainwave patterns sync up.
Sex is more than fun. It also offers health benefits. Besides being good for your emotional wellness, it can be good for your heart, relieve pain and help you sleep restfully. According to a 2010 study published in the ‘American Journal of Cardiology’, which was a report from the Massachusetts Male Aging Study, men who had sex at least twice a week were less likely to develop heart disease compared to men who only had sex once per month. Sexual activity releases endorphins, which are natural painkillers. The aftermath is a feeling of relaxation, contentment and peace.
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