Essential 6: Give and Receive Love

As you give and receive love, freely and generously, you will be blessed with meaningful, lifelong relationships and cherished memories that will bring joy in happy times and strength in peace during difficult times.

Points to Consider

• The ability to give and receive love is key to successful relationships. Every significant relationship in your life requires love to sustain it, and love encourages listening, sharing and empathy
• Loves makes life meaningful and joyful. Loving relationships bring true joy and meaning to your life. As you share your joys and sorrows with the those you love, you will find that your life becomes richer and your enjoyment of life deeper
• Love is not always easy to give or receive. Sometimes it is difficult to give or accept love, but as you learn to accept and forgive others and yourself, you will be able to enjoy the benefits of close and loving relationships
• Love can transform your life. Love can change the way you view your life and others. When you know you are valued by those you love, your attitude is more positive, your load is lightened and you experience greater emotional health
• Love brings strength and peace. Loving, supportive relationships provide strength and peace, especially during life’s trials—understanding how to give and receive love during difficult times provides the comfort and support you need to cope
• Love is endless. Love never “runs out”; there is an endless supply of love for you and those you care about. Each person in your life will love you in a special and unique way, as you will love them in a special and unique way—the more love you give, the more love you will receive

Substantiation

Research findings published in the Journal of Advancement in Medicine in 1995 highlighted key findings that heart-focused, sincere, positive feelings boost the immune system and negative emotions may suppress the immune system for up to six hours following the emotional experience.

A Harvard Medical School study of 1,523 heart attack survivors found that when participants became angry during emotional conflicts, their risk of following heart attacks more than doubled that of those that remained calm. Circulation 1995. An international study of 2,829 people aged 55-85 found that persons who reported feeling most in control of their life events had nearly a 60% lower risk of death compared to those who felt hopeless. American Journal of Epidemiology 1997.

When an individual is stressed or experiencing negative emotions such as anger, frustration and anxiety, heart rhythms become more erratic.

A study of more than 3,000 volunteers of all ages at more than 20 organizations nationwide showed that volunteers experience a reduction in stress and a release of endorphins followed by a longer-lasting period of calm and improved emotional well-being after performing kind acts if kindness.