We all know that heart health is important so we exercise, watch what we eat, maybe even practice mindfulness.
But there’s another aspect to healthy hearts that we may not always practice, but it is just as important to our health – love.
In this case, it’s not about romantic love – or at least not entirely. Love in its many forms, from the familiarity of good friends to the sometimes-you-don’t-always-feel-it-but-it’s-there love of long-term relationships. Spending time with loved ones – family and friends alike – can reduce stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure and may even improve our cardiovascular health.
In the case of love, more doesn’t necessarily mean better. Health psychologist Shilagh Mirgain explains that it is the quality of our relationships and even how we feel about ourselves that really matters.
“We long to be told that we matter, whether by a friend, a family member or even a coworker,” she says. “We do better when we know that someone in our lives sees and appreciates us.”
Ways to Bring More Love Into Your Life
It may not be something we often think about, but we can cultivate more love in our lives. To help, Mirgain shares a few tips:
Love Yourself
“Often we look to others to fill us with love and affection, and yet it is something we need to provide for ourselves,” says Mirgain.
If a friend approached us, nervous about trying something new – like a sport or activity – no doubt we would be encouraging and supportive. But when we think about ourselves, the conversation is often negative – doubts about not being able to do the job well enough, fear of failure and more. Mirgain says it’s time to change that dialogue and offer compassion to ourselves.
“Try saying ‘I love you and you can do this’ to yourself when you’re doubting your abilities,” she suggests. “Or, consider a loving kindness meditation or other practice to help bring more compassion to your own body.”
Mirgain notes that we are especially hard on ourselves when it comes to our own bodies. Stomach too bulgy, nose a little too big, too short, too tall – sometimes it seems there’s always something to criticize about ourselves. But that’s when it is important to stop and remember how amazing our bodies are. When we do, it often translates to taking care of our body through positive daily habits like exercise, healthy eating and getting rest.
“Being compassionate toward ourselves is also important for things like successful weight loss. When we’re kind to ourselves after getting off track, we’ll be more likely to stay motivated and continue progress toward our goals,” says Mirgain.
Generate More Love in the World
When we express our appreciation for others, it actually benefits us as well. Read More
