February may be the shortest month of the year but it boasts no fewer than 98 holidays.

Lesser known observances include Doggy Date Night, Tug of War Day, and National Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, but even among the better known celebrations, only one holiday in February truly stands out — Valentine’s Day.

It goes to show where our priorities are… romantic love. It’s not surprising. Everybody wants to be loved. Physiologically-speaking, you could say that we’re hard-wired for love.

Among the human body’s chemical helpers are feel-good neurotransmitters — dopamine, norepinephrine, seratonin, oxytocin — that play a role in a multitude of love struck feelings.

• Falling in love produces dopamine and norepinephrine, both associated with pleasurable activities and excitement.

• Feeling happy that comes with love produces dopamine and makes us smile. Interestingly, the same happens in reverse: Smiling produces dopamine and makes us feel happy.

• Laughing produces dopamine and feelings of happiness.

The festivities on Valentine’s Day can add to the good feelings!

• Substances in chocolate boost the production of dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, inducing feelings of bliss and infatuation.

• Listening to music that excites you (Barry White, baby) stimulates the production of dopamine. Your body produces more dopamine during the moments in which you’re most excited and also when you anticipate those moments. The same happens when you’re having sex!

• Moving vigorously (during sex) boosts the production of serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and endorphins, which boost mood.

Today, the love holiday is inclusive, also celebrating the love of family and friends. Okay, it may not be the same… but it is, physiologically speaking. Our bodies are hard-wired for all of the loving feelings!

• Bonding activities, such as when a mother is nursing her baby, or when two people are hugging, release oxytocin.

• People who are socially connected produce more oxytocin, even when they’re under stress. Oxytocin is also responsible for our capacity for kindness, empathy, and trust.

• Love, compassion, and gratitude stimulate the production of dopamine and norepinephrine.

Fascinating. All of which reduces stress, promotes a healthy body size, strengthens the immune system, and improves health.

But do we really need to understand the health reasons for spreading a little love?

Happy Valentine’s Day❣️

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The Simple Seven © Marlene Veltre 2021 All rights reserved. No portion of this post may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including recording or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of Marlene Veltre. The information in this post is to be used for educational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as a substitute for professional medical advice or to prevent, cure, or heal any illness or disease. You should always see your doctor or health practitioner.