Although you may have never seen a doctor write a prescription for daily doses of “love,” best selling authors such as Deepak Chopra M.D., Bernie Siegal M.D., and Dean Ornish M.D. all write about the healing properties of love. Dr. Ornish says, “love may be the greatest of all disease-fighters, and it’s about time doctors realized it.” Dr. Ornish, a pioneer of wellness, has extensively researched how diet, exercise, and stress management can help to reverse heart disease symptoms. His book, Love & Survival explains how loneliness can ruin the body, while experiencing a sense of community and love can have healing effects.

Sharing love is the most powerful force of nature, whether it’s with a pet, a friend, or a significant other. Experts stipulate that loneliness and social disconnect result from our increasing attention on technology and work. Regarding ailments such as heart disease, Dr. Ornish says that “the real epidemic isn’t physical heart disease. It’s spiritual heart disease: loneliness and isolation.”

It is amazing but true that the easiest thing in the world to do to improve our own health and wellness is to express our love for ourselves and for others. It doesn’t cost anything and it doesn’t have to take much time. The benefits of love are beyond measure.