In a time when well-being often seems contingent on complex routines and difficult formulas, recent research indicates that emotional connections, particularly with partners, may be more crucial than previously thought. A study from researchers at the University of California, Davis, explores how relationships impact physical health, particularly through shared emotional experiences.
Tomiko Yoneda, the lead author of the study published by the American Psychological Association in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, highlighted that while many studies have examined positive emotions like happiness and love in isolation, real life often presents these emotions in the context of relationships. Yoneda and her team aimed to investigate how frequently older couples experience positive emotional moments together and whether these moments have a significant impact on their health.
Link Between Shared Emotions and Health
To delve into this topic, Yoneda and her colleagues analyzed cortisol levels, the primary stress hormone, in older adults. They reviewed data from three studies involving a combined total of 642 participants, all aged between 56 and 89, from Canada and Germany. Participants provided demographic information and completed brief electronic surveys about their emotional states five to seven times a day over a week. Questions focused on how happy, relaxed, and interested they felt at the moment, followed by saliva samples to measure cortisol.
The researchers collected a total of 23,931 individual measurements. The findings revealed that when couples shared positive moments—such as feeling relaxed or happy together—there was a notable decrease in their cortisol levels. This suggests that shared emotional well-being not only strengthens emotional bonds but also has a direct, measurable effect on physical health, helping individuals maintain a more balanced state.
Positive Experiences Lower Stress Hormone Levels
The study found that sharing happy moments with a partner is beneficial, particularly for older adults, as it lowers cortisol levels. Specifically, during instances when both partners expressed positive emotions simultaneously, their saliva samples indicated lower cortisol levels. This effect persisted even after controlling for factors like age, gender, medication, and daily cortisol fluctuations.
Interestingly, the calming effect of shared positive emotions was evident regardless of the couple”s overall relationship satisfaction. Even if partners were not particularly happy with their relationship, experiencing positive emotions together still seemed to have a soothing effect on their bodies.
Exploring Emotional Connections Beyond Romantic Relationships
Looking ahead, Yoneda expressed interest in exploring shared positive emotions beyond romantic partnerships, including among friends, coworkers, and family members. She emphasized that this research aligns with the theory of positive resonance, which posits that sharing positive emotions within a connected and synchronized relationship can enhance both emotional and physiological well-being.
This research opens new avenues for understanding the significance of emotional connections in promoting health and well-being across various types of relationships.
