HOW FALLING IN LOVE CAN BENEFIT YOUR HEALTH

Being in love reduces pain.
US researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging to study why people in the early stages of a new romantic relationship appear to feel less pain. They found that when people were shown pictures of their loved ones, the reward systems in the brain were activated–and they reported less discomfort when exposed to painful heat. Using drugs to activate these same reward centers in the brain might lead to powerful new analgesics.

Boosting your immune system. 
A study of US university students found those who had sex once or twice a week had higher levels of immunoglobulin A(IgA) in their saliva, the body’s first line of defense against the cold virus. No-one really understands why – but frankly, who cares?

Hugging reduces tension.
Giving your loved one a hug helps you cope with stress better. Hugging has been shown to lower the heart rate and blood pressure, reduce anxiety, and boost the memory. Researchers say hugging causes the release of oxytocin, the “bonding” hormone.