Here’s what we’ll cover in this blog post:
- How love helps us live longer
- The science behind love
- What is oxytocin
- Additional steps for protecting your heart
Did you know that having strong, loving relationships can extend your lifespan?
Love does more than just warm our hearts, and the benefits of love extend well beyond those butterflies in your stomach. It’s not just about feeling good—it’s about a real, scientific connection between emotional well-being and longevity.
From regulating stress hormones to promoting a healthier heart, the bonds we form shape not just how well we live, but how long we live. Here, we’ll explore the science of love and uncover the secrets of how love truly protects our hearts.
The Centenarian’s Secret
Centenarians, or people who live to age 100 or more, have many shared health traits, including a healthy diet, regular physical activity and, notably, strong social bonds.
But these similarities aren’t just coincidence—in fact, studies show that love and social connections may be the centenarian’s secret to living a long, healthy life.
Whether that’s with a partner, family, or friends, strong and loving relationships do more than just create a sense of community and belonging—they have deep physiological benefits that extend beyond pure emotion, and scientists are starting to link this to the health benefits that help keep centenarians going.
But how can loving relationships help us live longer?
The Science of Love
When we feel loved and supported, the body releases hormones like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. Though all these hormones make us feel happy, oxytocin is associated with social bonding, and it may be the key connection between love and longevity.
Oxytocin is a natural hormone stored in the hypothalamus, the part of our brain that controls critical bodily functions like heart rate and blood pressure. When oxytocin releases into the body, it serves as a chemical messenger in the brain, stimulating feelings of trust and attachment.
But Oxytocin also has physiological benefits that bridge the gap between our emotions and our body:
- Stress management
Oxytocin reduces cortisol, the hormone responsible for stress and anxiety. Cortisol can increase the risk of heart disease by raising blood pressure, cholesterol, and consequently plaque buildup. - Enhanced blood flow
Among its many responsibilities in the body, oxytocin also acts on our cardiovascular system to decrease resistance in our blood vessels, improving blood flow and further reducing blood pressure. - Improved immunity
Oxytocin plays a central role in regulating immune activity, helping the body to not only heal efficiently, but fight off infections and age-related disease, as well. - Reduced inflammation
By regulating the immune system, oxytocin suppresses the number of pro-inflammatory cytokines in our body, reducing overall inflammation that contributes to age-related disease.
These effects are all interlinked, like a strong community working towards a single goal—your heart health.
How loving relationships can boost heart health
Popular adages—like “Where there is love, there is life”—take on new meaning as researchers uncover the science of love. The connections we make act as a buffer against stress and age-related changes like reduced blood flow.
In fact, many of the benefits of social connections also impact heart health, from lower stress and reduced anxiety to lower blood pressure and improved immunity. Together, these cumulative benefits protect the heart in every sense.
By nurturing strong social bonds, you’re not only improving our emotional well-being—you’re supporting your heart health for years to come. So prioritize your relationships, and let love be a part of your longevity toolkit. It’s not just good for your heart—it’s good for your health, too!
Note: The above statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.