Cultivate Your Love Every Day of Your Life
Valentine’s Day may be over, but that doesn’t mean that the season of love is finished. Love is a very important part of mindful living and it is great for your health. This month use your five senses to cultivate love and improve your health.
Love is Good for Your Heart… Literally!
February is American Heart Month and many people are taking steps to care for their hearts. Exercising more and being more mindful of your diet can give your heart a healthy boost, but don’t forget one of the most important things in life: love. In fact, one study published in Biological Psychology examined the effect love had on women’s heart health. They found that frequent hugs between partners were associated with lower blood pressure rates and higher oxytocin (the calming, social bonding hormone). While this study was conducted with premenopausal women, one could imagine other people having similar results.
Explore Your Five Senses of Love
If you want to improve your health and cultivate more love in your life, consider the tips listed below.
Sense of Smell
Aromatherapy is good for you. Research at the Cleveland Clinic shows aromatherapy can reduce stress and energize you. Special scents have been known to ease anxiety, reduce stress, and help with insomnia, among other things. It can also cultivate feelings of love. Scents like jasmine, rose, cinnamon, and vanilla are said to have aphrodisiac properties. This month consider buying candles or incense and filling your home with the aroma of love.
Sense of Hearing
Music has a special place in all of our hearts—it touches our soul and gives us strength. Research shows it’s also good for our health. In fact, a study examined the effects music had on workers in high-stress professions. The researchers found that when the participants listened to soothing music of their choice it helped reduce their stress. So, for the month of February, consider listening to your favorite love songs, like the song you and your partner danced to at your wedding. It will reduce your stress and fill your heart with love.
Sense of Touch
Massages from your sweetheart are a great act of love. It’s also a wonderful way for you to improve your health. Massages are said to lower your stress, reduce your heart rate and blood pressure, and help produce oxytocin. So, share the love this month and offer your stressed partner a relaxing massage.
Sense of Taste
You can express love and passion through food. Eating heart healthy foods can literally slow aging, prevent disease, and you will look healthy and happy. The act of preparing a meal for a partner is an act of love itself.
Sense of Sight
Use your sense of sight to appreciate all the beauty around you. Spend a sunny weekend outdoors with your loved one or fill your home with flowers. The sight of flowers from your sweetheart can produce powerful, loving emotions within you.