Love is the emotional bond that exists between two people. It is the state of mind that produces a sense of intense, unbridled passion. Love is a group of behaviors and emotions characterized by intense intimacy, emotional connection, longing, commitment, and passion. It includes emotional love, admiration, concern, adoration, loyalty, and concern. The different stages of love are similar to the stages of romantic love; however, the feelings experienced during each stage vary depending on the person and the situation. In short, love experiences are very individualized.
Love is the most important and powerful force in our lives, but it is often misunderstood. Often, love is associated with physical attraction or lust. While physical attraction may initially attract two people together, their feelings for each other develop gradually and remain separate. Love is an intense and powerful emotion that develops over time and continues into a fulfilling relationship. It can vary significantly in intensity but is always mutual by nature.
There are a variety of definitions of romantic love. For most adults, the best definition of romantic love is a deep connection that exists beyond sexual attraction or lust. These feelings typically do not occur overnight or within the confines of a romantic relationship. Individuals who feel this way typically seek companionship, friendship, or other emotionally intimate relationships.
Love has been shown to result from both biological and psychological factors. The biological drive that produces strong emotions is passed down through generations. The emotional connections formed during childhood and early adolescence are also often passed down through generations. Individuals who experience early loving and nurturing may also have a stronger sense of acceptance and security. The results of these biological and psychological factors help to explain why some individuals are drawn to others while others may crave romance.
Neuroscientists have found strong evidence that love makes people more attractive to one another. People who show an abundance of affection appear to have a number of physical and mental health attributes including higher self-esteem, greater physical strength, better immune function, better cardiovascular function, better memory, greater reaction time, better social skills, and lower stress levels. Oxytocin is one chemical in the human brain that appears to be important in the development and maintenance of these physical and mental health characteristics.
Love makes people more attractive to one another because it generates positive emotions. Individuals who are in romantic relationships are usually experiencing positive emotions such as love, trust, satisfaction, commitment, and security. These positive emotions lead to greater physiological and psychological responses that lead to increased attraction. These physical and psychological responses generate additional feelings such as euphoria, hope, competence, confidence, and positive emotions. Individuals in long term relationships are also experiencing higher levels of self-esteem, emotional stability, and higher level of control. Although love includes a variety of positive emotions, it is clear that the most powerful emotional emotion that love produces is happiness.