Valentine’s Day has long been associated with romantic love, but experts emphasize that it is also a time to appreciate the various forms of love that enrich human life. Romantic relationships do not solely define love—it also manifests in connections with family, friends, pets, and communities. As the world faces an ongoing loneliness epidemic and increasing social division, understanding and nurturing different kinds of love has never been more important.
Love Beyond Romance: Expanding the Definition
Romantic love plays a significant role in life, but experts stress the importance of having multiple sources of emotional support. Mikaela Frissell, a social worker at UT Health Austin, notes that as people age, they realize that “no one relationship is going to provide us with everything.”
Love itself is difficult to define with a single description. Tyler VanderWeele, an epidemiologist and director of Harvard University’s Human Flourishing Program, explains that love can be both “unitive” and “contributive.” He describes unitive love as the desire to be with a loved one, while contributive love is the drive to do good for that person. Recognizing love in both forms expands our understanding of how we connect with others.
Love, Loneliness, and Health: A Crucial Connection
In 2023, then-U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy declared loneliness a public health epidemic, reporting that half of Americans have experienced it. Research shows that loneliness poses severe health risks, comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Those with poor social connections are at higher risk for stroke, heart disease, depression, anxiety, and even dementia.
According to Frissell, strong social connections help regulate the nervous system, reducing stress and inflammation while improving sleep and pain management. The long-running Harvard Study of Adult Development, which formed the basis of the book The Good Life, found that people who were happiest in their relationships at age 50 were the healthiest mentally and physically at 80.
Anthony Chambers, a psychologist and chief academic officer at The Family Institute at Northwestern University, emphasizes this finding: “The conclusion? Building meaningful and satisfying relationships is key to our health and well-being.”
How to Nurture Love in Everyday Life
Experts recommend making a conscious effort to seek in-person connections, even when it feels inconvenient or uncomfortable. Scheduling time for social interactions, reaching out to loved ones, and engaging with neighbors or community members can strengthen emotional bonds.
Frissell encourages small but meaningful gestures, such as complimenting someone daily and being open to receiving compliments in return. VanderWeele suggests an intentional kindness exercise: choosing one day a week for six weeks to complete five acts of kindness. This practice, he says, reinforces the habit of prioritizing kindness as part of daily life.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, recognizing and fostering all types of love can lead to a richer, more connected, and healthier life. Love, in all its forms, has the power to heal, uplift, and bring meaning beyond just romantic relationships.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
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