CEBU, Philippines - Do not underestimate the power of love. To illustrate this point, here's a story written by a young woman in “Reach Out.com”.
"I’m Diana and I’m now a happy 16 year old. Before however I went through a time of struggle not only with myself but with those around me. It all started in eighth grade. I felt so out of place with everyone including my friends and even my parents. I began cutting myself. My freshman year in high school, I came close to suicide several times. I was so lost and so stuck and I felt miserable. I told no one of this shadowy act because many would continue to call me selfish, stupid person that doesn’t know how to be considerate of others.
"Beginning my sophomore year, I met my current boyfriend, Angel. He was the person who knew what I was going through, and despite my mood or my actions, he was always there. Through him my suicidal thoughts began to fade away slowly and I thank him and love him immensely for it. I can definitely say that the power of love does heal the scars
of the wounded. I always cry whenever he tells me that he loves me or whenever he does something for me. He makes me feel the love I have not felt since my life began.”
I am reminded of a young woman who almost committed suicide because she felt that her parents did not love her as much. They were so demanding: she should be in the dean's list, she should not mingle with friends because it was a waste of time. They insisted that she should focus more on her studies. The demands of her parents was too much to bear that it struck a toll in her health. She began to develop anxiety and panic attack. Until she was hospitalized..
Writer Pavitra Sampath believes that love can heal. She exclaims, "Being in love can be the most wonderful feeling out there. But did you know that being in a loving and happy relationship actually has innumerable health benefits?”
To prove her point, Sampath cites the following benefits of love:
Can beat depression. With all the joy with the person you love, depression can easily be something that does not bother you any more. According to the experts, when you fall in love your body releases a whole host of hormones, including endorphins in your body. This surge of hormone helps beat depression.
Keep you away from ailments. According to a report by the “Health and Human Services Department, USA,” couples in love tend to be healthier and have lesser common ailments.
Lowers your blood pressure. In a study published in the “Annals of Behavioral Medicine,” couples in a happy marriage or relationship had lower blood pressure than those who were single. They found that people in unhappy relationships often had high blood pressure levels just like their single counterpart.
Helps you live longer. Experts believe that people in a happy and stable relationships tend to live longer. They theorize that love helps provide each of the partners with security, and someone to share the load of life with. (FREEMAN)