How Does Being In Love Improve Our Happiness And Helps Us Be Stress-Free?

Dopamine, the feel-good brain chemical linked to reward, is highly active when you first fall in love. This is a mood enhancer, so people feel highly cheerful and appreciated, hence the “on cloud nine” feeling you get when you’re in the beginning stages of a new relationship. However, new lovebirds have an increase in the stress hormone cortisol and a decrease in the mood-regulating neurotransmitter serotonin at the same time. That could explain some of the chaotic behavior that typically comes with developing love: desire combined with worry, preoccupation, and uneasiness. According to studies, dopamine levels may remain elevated as your relationship progresses, but cortisol and serotonin levels will likely return to normal, allowing you to relax and settle into the relationship without losing the mood-boosting benefits.

After the honeymoon period is passed, all of that dopamine begins to share space with oxytocin, often known as the bonding hormone. This not only makes you feel “warm and fuzzy” about your lover, but it can also be beneficial to your health. People’s stress levels decrease when they feel safe and connected. Simply being in the presence of someone who treats us with respect and care can drop cortisol and adrenaline levels and restore homeostasis, which means that your neurochemicals are back in balance. If you’re separated from your partner, thinking about them, talking to them on the phone, or even texting with them can help you rekindle these feelings.

Also Read: Tips To Help Your Stressed Partner Relax