We all know that love — unconditional acceptance by another person — is what we want, need, and desire. Love is vital to our health and well-being and is one of the essential elements in psychologist Abraham Maslow’s “hierarchy of needs.” Yet to love another person is a complex matter that requires both courage and resilience to navigate the terrain of such a deep emotion.
Sustenance
Love sustains our lives. In fact, research shows that after more than a year of unresolved grief, many individuals can develop severe illnesses or fatal heart diseases. The loss of love can be so intense that it can break our hearts and our will to live. Sigmund Freud, the renowned father of psychoanalysis, wrote that we are never so hopelessly unhappy as when we lose love.
In a touching essay published in The Sun, Poe Ballantine provides insight into the necessity of trust within love. Trust is the element of love that provides a safe space to share our lives and hearts with others. Trusting and coping with the loss of trust within love require great courage to move beyond the loss and love again.
Interestingly, we are bombarded from various sources with information about wellness and how to prevent illness when many of us need information on how to prevent heartbreak.
Resilience
Trusting, loving, and the resilience to bounce back from the loss of love may be the next health frontier. Nutrition, one of the prevailing health topics, is not just about nourishing our tissues. Nourishing our hearts, which long for love and acceptance, is another skill we need to learn.
If we should be mindful of what we eat, how mindful should we become about how and whom we love? Numerous valuable communication skills can strengthen relationships and prevent heartbreak. Changing Behavior offers a free download on relationship communication skills that can help anyone nourish their hearts and make their relationships more resilient.
Heart-Healthy Habits
While we consider nourishing our hearts and souls, we must also think about the physical aspects of heart health. A healthy lifestyle is crucial to foster emotional resilience and a healthy heart. Here are some heart-healthy habits to consider adopting:
- Exercise regularly. Exercising periodically can lower your risk of heart disease and provide you with the energy and strength to face emotional challenges.
- Maintain a balanced diet. Consuming a diet rich in whole grains, lean protein, fruits, and vegetables can contribute to your overall well-being and help keep your heart in good shape.
- Get enough sleep. Stress and a lack of sleep can negatively affect your heart health and emotional well-being. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night for optimal health.
- Limit alcohol intake. Overconsumption of alcohol can lead to various health problems, including an increased risk of heart disease. Moderation is key.
- Stay connected. Cultivating strong connections with friends, family, and loved ones can boost your emotional resilience and help keep your heart in good shape.
In conclusion, trusting, loving, and the resilience needed to recover from the loss of love may be the next health frontier. Nourishment is not just about feeding our bodies but also about nourishing our hearts and souls with love and positivity. By practicing good heart health habits and developing emotional resilience, we can not only prevent heartbreak but also ensure optimal health and well-being in both our emotional and physical lives.
