Standing atop a hill amid rocks she celebrates life with open arms. That is how we rejoice – by opening ourselves.

   You know what this looks like. 

   Love opens the body. In victory Olympians raise opened arms. A women opens her legs to receive her lover. Mothers open to free their babies into this world. Friends welcome each other with open arms.  

   The expansive self embraces. This actually nurtures health. The constricted self blocks love, damages health & obstructs healing. 

   Fear causes us to close, to tighten, to stress our bodies against perceived threats. Crossed arms, clenched fists & gritted teeth all characterize health-damaging anxiety. Fear even blocks the appreciation of high art & deep passion. 

   Here are the top three ways love promotes health:

   1) Love relaxes the body. Because love is not possessive, lovers treasure presence & do not fear loss. For example, loving parents are grateful for their children & understand that they do not own them. 

   2) Love strengthens the immune system. Every scientific study demonstrates this. Romantic lovers are not the only beneficiaries. Love your friends & your pets & feel similar health benefits.

   3) Love gives life meaning. Every caregiver knows this. The act of caregiving opens the heart for healing.

   A psychologist friend shared a useful image. "Notice how your body tightens when you are angry or jealous. Your body constricts when you are trying to control. Consider how that eases when you are expansive. You feel better because you are better."

   That is what love does. Even when it does not "cure" love always heals. 

-Reverend Erie Chapman

Photograph by Erie