February is often thought of as the month of love with the celebration
of Valentine’s Day. The fact that we have set aside a whole day
to honor and celebrate love shows us the magnificent importance that
love plays in our life. Valentines Day does not have to be just
the celebration between lovers or partners. It can be about the
love you have with your child, parent, sibling, friend, self and
universe. The healing power of love can be found in many different avenues.
There is nothing more fulfilling and satisfying in life than the act of
loving and being loved. It is the most profound experience we can
have. Love is essential for our mental and physical
well-being. It is essential for our survival. Love is more
than just a feeling, it is a whole body experience and it has a
physiological effect on the body. Have you ever noticed how much
better you feel physically and how your mood improves when you receive
a hug or affection from someone who loves you or when you have
expressed your love to someone or participate in an act of love?
Loving and being loved actually improves our level of health. I
have witnessed this truth in my own life over and over. When my
relationship with my partner was full, happy and rewarding I could
miraculously participate in all kinds of activities that I could not
usually do without becoming sick. I had a higher level of
tolerance for things, more energy and better mood. When
this relationship came to an end, I then observed that during my
grieving there would be a decrease in my immune function and I could no
longer have the high level of tolerance. I have watched this
phenomenon in my relationship with my son. When my son moved out
on his own, I had a severe decrease in my immune function and level of
functioning during the first few months. I was grieving the loss of his
presence, the loss of the act of loving him on a daily basis and the
relationship itself. As my grief lessened and I began to adjust
then I went back to my normal level of functioning. When we spend
time together it always boosts my immune system and my mood. Thus
illuminating the astounding impact that love and grief have on our
health. I have heard similar testaments from many
other people. The bookstore abounds with books attesting to the
healing power of love.
Not only does love improve our health, but it also lightens our
load. Difficulties and challenges that life presents us with are
much easier to deal with when love is in our life. We feel more
capable and happier. It makes life richer and more worth living.
Cultivating love in our life is one of the most beneficial things we
can do for our health. This includes loving ourselves.
Accepting who we are with all our limits. Accepting our diagnosis
without shame. Loving ourselves is essential to take proper care
of ourselves and to participate in our health care journey.
Allowing ourselves to love others deeply and completely is the greatest
gift we can give ourselves. Yes, there is always the fear that
you may be rejected or hurt, but don’t allow this to hinder you.
Allow yourself to take the risk. Allow yourself to feel love and
express love. Build deep meaningful relationships. Allow
yourself to be vulnerable. Immerse yourself completely in the
loving experience.
Tips to Cultivate Love in Your Life on Valentine’s Day and Every Day
If you are without partner give yourself all those things you would
receive from them. Give yourself a hug, praise, and
affection. Take yourself on a date. Buy yourself something
special. Make love with yourself. Have a love affair with
nature.
If you are with partner, tell them how much you love them, value them,
and appreciate them. Do something special for them. Plan a
special celebration.
Express your feelings. Tell others how you love them and what
they mean in your life.
Hug your children; tell them you love them as often as possible.
Read them a story. Savor your precious moments with them.
Nurture a connection with nature. Touch, smell, and feel the
trees, the wind, a rock. Appreciate the magnificent beauty it
presents to you every day.
Buy a Valentines card for all those in your life that you love.
Make a homemade card for the special people in your life. Every
year my son and me would make each other a Valentine’s Day card with
crayons, colored pencils and construction paper. It was something
we really enjoyed doing together and the cards were always so special
because they were created with our own hands and come straight from the
heart.
Allow your love to expand to all living things. Don’t take life
or those around for you granted. Cultivate love on a daily basis
not just on Valentine’s Day. Life is short. Don’t let this
precious gift slip by without experiencing it completely.
You can find a variety of other alternative health self care tips and
strategies in Cynthia's book
Finding Life Fulfillment when Living
with Chronic Illness - A Spiritual Journey.
