Results: Our Connections In Life Can Help Boost Our Immune System
Published on 02/13/2019
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It's no coincidence that human connections make you feel better -- they actually boost your immune system. Loving experiences actually impact your microbiome and immune system in surprising and wonderful ways. Within and on the surfaces of your body exists an active community of trillions of bacteria, known collectively as the microbiome. Much of your microbiome lives in your digestive tract, where about 80% of your immune system is also located. About 85% of this community is comprised of helpful bacteria called probiotics that work with your cells and immune system to keep you healthy, while crowding out harmful bacteria so they don't have enough room to multiply. Were you aware of these positive effects on your immune system that relationships have?
Knowing you're not alone in the world anymore and that there's "someone in your corner" can be profoundly stress reducing. And feeling more relaxed supports your microbiome by making it harder for bacteria that could harm friendly flora to enter your gut.
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Positive emotions (like the joy and optimism associated with falling and staying in love) strengthen your immune response, so when you meet the right person, you may find yourself feeling under the weather less often than you used to.
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Introducing your gut to lots of friendly probiotic strains is one of the best things you can do for your immune system, and one of the most pleasurable ways to accomplish this is through kissing. When you and your loved one share a passionate kiss, you're also gifting each other with lots of friendly flora. This microbial exchange is most effective in couples that kiss often.
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Even more casual contact, like holding hands or hugging, can introduce new probiotic strains to your microbiome
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All of them
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None
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Research has shown that unhappy and stressed marriages and relationships weaken the immune system and couples with healthy relationships have 35% fewer illnesses. Many of us may know someone who got out of a bad relationship, only to feel better than they have in years. It may not only be mentally healthier, but also physically. Have you ever left a bad relationship, and found yourself actually feeling better physically?
Yes I have
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No, did not feel better physically
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Have not been in this situation
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Am in a bad relationship now, so maybe I will end it and see...
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Have not been in a relationship good or bad
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You don't have to be in a relationship to get the immunity boosters from a good relationship -- good friends can fill that position just as much as a good relationship can. Experts found a link between social support from friendship and the immune system. People with good friends tend to have stronger immune systems and anti-inflammatory responses that can lead to quicker wound healing and reduce the risk of illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and some cancers. It also means you are better able to fight off colds, or the flu. This is especially true in older adults. Do you spend time with friends often?
As often as I can
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From time to time
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Very seldom
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Never
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