Remember when you had your first crush? OMG everytime you would see him/her you would get the butterflies in your stomach or blush? Maybe that was just me… I certainly remember when I started dating Holt, my phone would ring, I would get giddy — (sometimes I still do.)
Well there is a reason we become silly and feel giddy when we are falling in love. Our bodies are producing hormones that are affecting our immune system!
Since March 13, 2020, I have read so much information about our immune systems and listened to tons of advertising about products to boost our immune system. Guess what! 99.9% of the products do not actually work. On the popular podcast, Science Vs, Gimlet talks about the actual research. It is pretty interesting if you like to nerd out.
The things that do affect the immune system the most are actually free. Exercise is one of the best ways to boost your immune system of course. But here is an even better way — healthy relationships!
What! Drop the mic. How are our relationships affecting our immune system? Well I am so glad you asked!
When we’re stressed, our immune system’s ability to fight off infection is reduced. That is why we are more susceptible to infections. The stress hormone corticosteroid can suppress the effectiveness of the immune system and increase inflammation in the body. Short-term suppression of the immune system is not dangerous. However, chronic suppression leaves the body vulnerable to infection and disease. Therefore, if we are in an unhealthy relationship, it is affecting our bodies.
The awesome news is the converse is also true.
Dopamine is released when we do things that feel good to us — i.e. spending time with loved ones and having sex. High levels of dopamine and a related hormone, norepinephrine, are released during attraction. These chemicals make us giddy, energetic, and euphoric, even leading to decreased appetite and insomnia – which means you actually can be so “in love” that you can’t eat and can’t sleep.
There has been research to show brain scans of people in love have actually shown that the primary “reward” centers of the brain fire like crazy when people are shown a photo of someone they are intensely attracted to. Attraction seems to lead to a reduction in serotonin, a hormone that’s known to be involved in appetite and mood.
Anyhoo, the whole point is that having healthy relationships affects our bodies. If you stressed because your boss drives you crazy or your brother pushes all your buttons when you are around him, your body will put the dukes and prepare for battle.
But, there is a better way to deal with it. The Enneagram can help!
Are you ready to boost your immune system?
Are you tired of the “good enough” experience in your romantic, family or work relationships?
I would love to chat with you, to learn more about what you are looking for and see if the upcoming course Enneagram & Relationships is a good fit for you.
If you ALREADY know that you are ready for better relationships, a clearer understanding of how you can get out of your own way, and how to access your personal power and freedom, you can go ahead and sign up here.
Early Bird Pricing will run through Sunday, March 21st at Midnight — sign up before then to save.
I am offering 1:1 coaching in addition to the weekly enneagram & relationships content if you are ready to commit to being held accountable and doing the work of transforming your relationships this is what I recommend for you.
Regardless if this course is right for you, I would love to learn more about you and see how I can support you on your personal journey. I opened my calendar up this weekend to offer free 1:1 30 min calls to answer any questions you may have.
I can’t wait to share this powerful transformative program with you. You can truly heal your life with the Enneagram. I want to walk with you on this journey. A trip is always more fun with others. And I know you are sick and tired of being at home, so let’s do it! You can go ahead and sign up here.
Early Bird Pricing will run through Sunday, March 21st at Midnight — sign up before then to save.
Namaste,
Jen