When most people think of love, they probably picture a romantic relationship. While this is the traditional idea of love, there are many other kinds of love. Think about the love you have for your children, your parents, or your pets. You can also think about the love you have for your favorite sports team or a creative project. Essentially, love is any kind of deep attachment that makes you want to take care of it and help it succeed.
Psychologists and researchers have different ideas about what love is. Some believe it is an emotion, while others say that it is more like a physiological drive. For example, psychologist Enrique Burunat says that love is a biological necessity that is similar to hunger, thirst, or sleep.
Some scientists argue that love is an evolved behavior, designed to keep parents bonded and committed to their offspring. Others say that love is a chemical sensation, caused by a jumble of chemicals in the brain, including dopamine, adrenaline, and norepinephrine. It’s possible that these chemical surges are what cause our cheeks to flush and our palms to sweat when we meet someone we’re attracted to for the first time. Once we begin a relationship, these chemicals are replaced by the more steady release of oxytocin, which gives us that warm and fuzzy feeling of closeness.
Even so, these biological explanations don’t necessarily tell the whole story. After all, a lot of people don’t feel these “rushes” when they fall in love, but their relationships still thrive. There is also a lot of evidence that shows how important social and emotional support is to healthy relationships, whether or not we feel a physical attraction.
Another aspect of love is that it can change the way we see things. When you’re in love, you may suddenly find yourself wanting to try new things that your partner enjoys or even embracing activities that you used to hate. This is because of the heightened sense of well-being and satisfaction you feel when spending time with your partner.
Lastly, the love you have for something or someone can make you willing to go to extreme lengths to help it succeed. For instance, if your child is struggling in school, you might put aside your own priorities to tutor them or take on extra work to help them get through a tough period. This is because your empathy for them and your fast-growing attachment can lead you to want to protect them and do whatever it takes to help them. However, this can backfire if you’re not careful. For this reason, it’s important to always consider your feelings and goals before making any drastic decisions in the name of love. You don’t want to end up sacrificing your own happiness for the sake of someone else.