Valentine's Day: See love in all its forms
VALENTINE'S Day is for lovers — but you don't need a romantic soulmate to celebrate. The holiday is a chance to consider just how rich, diverse and beneficial every form of love is in the human experience, whether it comes from your family, friends, pets, neighbors or community. Three experts shared how to nurture love in all its forms at a time when loneliness is an "epidemic," politics are divisive and turning to technology is often easier for real-life social interactions. You need more than just 'the' love of your life Romantic love — a deep, intimate partnership with another person or persons — is a valuable part of life. But experts say it's good to remember that we need to have several sources of connection. "Especially as we get older, we recognize that no one relationship is going to provide us with everything," said Mikaela Frissell, a social worker for UT Health Austin. Love isn't something that can easily be pinned down with a single definition or behavior, either. As a verb, love has two things at play, according to epidemiologist Tyler VanderWeele, who directs Harvard University's Human Flourishing Program. It can be both or either "unitive" — meaning you desire and want to be with the person or thing you love — or "contributive," meaning you want to contribute to the good of your beloved. The experts also said an expanded definition and view of love opens up the possibilities toward whom and what you can direct these "unitive" and "contributive" feelings. The connection between love, loneliness and health In 2023, then-US surgeon general Vivek Murthy declared loneliness a public health epidemic. Murthy's report said half of Americans have experienced loneliness and that it poses health risks as deadly as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. The research also found that people with poor social relationships had higher risk of stroke and heart disease, and that isolation raises a person's chance of depression, anxiety and dementia. Love's strong social connections, bonding and support are linked to better health, because it allows the brain to signal to the body that you are safe and take your nervous system out of "fight or flight," Frissell said. Research shows being with loved ones can lower blood pressure, stress hormones, reduce inflammation — even help you sleep and better manage pain.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
VALENTINE'S Day is for lovers — but you don't need a romantic soulmate to celebrate.
The holiday is a chance to consider just how rich, diverse and beneficial every form of love is in the human experience, whether it comes from your family, friends, pets, neighbors or community.
Three experts shared how to nurture love in all its forms at a time when loneliness is an "epidemic," politics are divisive and turning to technology is often easier for real-life social interactions.
You need more than just 'the' love of your life
Romantic love — a deep, intimate partnership with another person or persons — is a valuable part of life. But experts say it's good to remember that we need to have several sources of connection.
"Especially as we get older, we recognize that no one relationship is going to provide us with everything," said Mikaela Frissell, a social worker for UT Health Austin.
Love isn't something that can easily be pinned down with a single definition or behavior, either.
As a verb, love has two things at play, according to epidemiologist Tyler VanderWeele, who directs Harvard University's Human Flourishing Program. It can be both or either "unitive" — meaning you desire and want to be with the person or thing you love — or "contributive," meaning you want to contribute to the good of your beloved.
The experts also said an expanded definition and view of love opens up the possibilities toward whom and what you can direct these "unitive" and "contributive" feelings.
The connection between love, loneliness and health
In 2023, then-US surgeon general Vivek Murthy declared loneliness a public health epidemic.
Murthy's report said half of Americans have experienced loneliness and that it poses health risks as deadly as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. The research also found that people with poor social relationships had higher risk of stroke and heart disease, and that isolation raises a person's chance of depression, anxiety and dementia.
Love's strong social connections, bonding and support are linked to better health, because it allows the brain to signal to the body that you are safe and take your nervous system out of "fight or flight," Frissell said. Research shows being with loved ones can lower blood pressure, stress hormones, reduce inflammation — even help you sleep and better manage pain.
