Love in the air…Lol!
Let me put a disclaimer here, I didn’t
write this article myself, I culled it from YourTango.com. enjoy it after the
jump….
When we fall in love, we often
think of the wonders it does to our heart and soul. But there’s another organ
that’s deeply affected by your loving relationships: Your brain.
And it goes far beyond feeling
emotions from sappy love songs, puppy dog eyes and Emoji heart-filled texts.
When you’re head over heels for someone, some parts of your brain are
activated, and others are switched off. That’s right, love, both romantic and parental,
is actually altering the way you think.
You
Feel Addicted
Ever hear that love is a drug?
Well, there may be some truth to that. Your brain houses these intensely
passionate feelings using the same system that’s activated when a person is addicted
to drugs, from the euphoria you feel to your cravings for more. Sure, it might
be a much healthier addiction — but let’s face facts, shall we? You’re an
addict.
You
Start Thinking In Twos
It’s not just “me, me, me”
anymore. Now, there’s two of you to think about — and your brain will
automatically pick up the changes. From birth, we’re linked to our mothers and
much to scientists’ surprise, the connection transforms and changes with each
relationship we have. The bond you share with your partner or children runs way
deeper than just on the outside. A recent study linked using first-person
singular pronouns (me, myself and I) to higher rates of depression than those
who say “we” and “us.” More proof that healthy relationships are invaluable.
You
Love Longer (And Become Wiser)
Falling in love is as good for
your heart as it is for your mental heath. People in love report higher levels
of dopamine, which is linked to pleasure, desire and euphoria. Studies report
that people in positive, healthy relationships live longer, are happier, wiser
and have better mental health.
You’re More Supportive
One of the biggest benefits of
falling — and staying — in love is that you’ll learn what it’s really like to
lean on (and support) another person. Building trust in a relationship is
crucial. And, your brain helps you out with that. Through MRI scans,
researchers have found that when we fall in love, the frontal cortex — the area
of the brain that’s responsible for judgment — shuts down. So when we’re in
love, we’re less likely to be critical or skeptical of the person we care
about.
You De-Stress
Some of us might mistake those
butterflies surrounding your first kiss — but there’s no way your brain will
ever forget how it first felt to be touched by someone you’re in love with.
Here’s the completely crazy part: in healthy relationships, holding on to your
partner’s hand is enough to keep you from stressing, lower your blood pressure,
ease your physical pain and improve your health. A healthy, encouraging relationship
actually alters your brain function.
You Glow (Well, Your Brain’s
Reward Centers Do!)
Wondering what the key to
longevity is in a relationship? Scientists found it. In a study that assessed
couples who defined themselves as “madly in love”, scientists found that the
reward centers of their brains lit up after just looking at a picture of their
spouse. In the calm and stress sites of the brain, researchers found a
reduction in light up activity. Let the bright lines shine, baby!
You Feel Safe
Similar to the first bonds babies
make with their mothers, the feeling of security will emerge in your
relationship. As you age and change, your body actually remembers the brain
cycles and stages that you went through in your youth — so when you feel
reconnected to your baby self, those feelings of safety and contentment will
come flooding back. Research also shows that when we feel love for someone, it
shuts down the part of our brain that controls fear and negative emotions. -
See more at:
http://www.lailasblog.com/2014/12/7-ways-love-transforms-your-brain.html#more
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