You already know love makes you feel weak in the knees and gives you butterflies in the stomach, but it does much more than that. Love, and the effects it creates, has massive health benefits. Dr. Nandi’s here to tell you all about them and how falling for someone helps you become your own health hero.

Better Immune System

When it comes to being in love, you get more than just sweaty palms, you get a huge boost to your immune system. People in loving and stable relationships get sick less often, heal quicker, and overall have better immune systems.

Lower Stress

Being together seems to be less stressful than being single. Those who classify as being in love are less stressed and have less cortisol—the stress hormone—throughout their bodies. Less cortisol means better skin, since cortisol increases the amount of free radicals in the blood stream and adds to the signs of aging.

Reduces Depression

People who are in love experience less depression than others. While being in love increases the amount of dopamine, which increases optimism, energy, and feelings of well-being, it also stops social isolation, which is one of the leading causes of depression. Those in long-term loving relationships also have a lower rate of addiction and substance abuse.

Less Pain

Whether it’s from having additional support or the increase in dopamine that being in love creates, those in relationships experience less pain. These individuals complain less about having headaches and back pain. When in a painful situation, having your loved one there with you drastically lowers your experience of pain.

There’s More

Love does even more for your health. Here are a few more ways it benefits you.

• Improves cardiovascular health
• Reduces cancer rates
• Less likely to have a heart attack
• More energy
• Longer life expectancy

While not everyone likes being in relationships, they do improve your health. That’s why Dr. Nandi wants you to take a moment and appreciate those people in your life that you love and remember all they do for you. That way, you can be your own health hero and improve your health and well-being.

Partha’s Rx

• Humans are social creatures and forming connections and relationships is hardwired into what we do
• If you don’t currently have a love interest, don’t fret; spending time with close friends and family creates a similar health boost
• While new love is always exciting, most health benefits come from stable, long-term relationships
• To gain benefits from your relationship, it’s important to always fight nice and not become vindictive while arguing
• Those in long-term relationships, especially men, tend to give up risky behaviors which improve overall health and well-being