Being in love doesn’t just feel good, it’s physically good for your overall health and wellness, too.

In fact, there’s a growing amount of science that demonstrates a clear link between happy relationships (both romantic and plutonic) and people who live longer, more fulfilled lives.

It starts with hormones
Cortisol, our brain’s stress hormone, tends to be lower in people who are in happy relationships. Though cortisol can spike at the beginning of a relationship, the longer it goes, the lower and more stable the levels become.

What’s more is that the feeling of love itself triggers dopamine in our brain, which is the hormone associated with pleasure and motivation.

In short, love lowers the sad hormones and sets off the happy hormones.

Love heals the body
Studies have shown that love can help support our immune system – this means fewer visits to the doctor and quicker healing time.

Couples who are more stressed have higher levels of cytokine, an element that can affect our immune system’s ability to respond to wounds. In fact, they healed faster when they had supportive discussions together.

Strong love strengthens the heart muscle
There’s growing evidence that the quality of someone’s relationships in life is connected with that person’s risk of heart problems.

In fact, studies have shown a correlation between people with negative connections and those who have thicker carotid arteries – this puts them at risk for heart disease.

Happily ever after
While science has shown several reasons as to why this happens, the main reason is that human beings are social beings. We actually thrive best when we have positive connections and relationships, romantic or not.

Be sure to share your love with those around you. You’ll make them smile, all the while giving your mind and body a happy and healthy boost.