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| Tracy Emin - Stylist Cover |
'We are obsessed in our society with falling in love. It is a social fever that provokes delirium in us from a very young age'* says Robert Holden.
‘We fall in love because we long to escape from ourselves
with someone as ideal as we are corrupt.’** is of opinion Alan de Boton.
‘Albert Camus suggested that we fall in love with people
because from the outside, they look so whole, physically whole and emotionally
‘together’ – when subjectively, we feel dispersed and confused. (...) Expecting
to find the answer, we only find the duplicate of our problems.’ **
But does falling in love has to be such a daunting perspective?
Falling in love feels good. Studies have shown that the chemical processes taking place in the brain when falling in love are similar to those induced by cocaine consumption. A person who has fallen in love feels happier because a pleasing cocktail of dopamine, norepinephrine and phenylethylamine is readily released.
But falling in love also feels bad.
'The telephone becomes an instrument of torture in the
demonic hands of a beloved who doesn’t ring.’** says Alain de Boton. And don't we all agree? How many times have you obsessed over someone you've recently met but who you've fallen head over heels in love with? He loves me, he loves me not, oh the pain... But fear not, scientists have come up with an explanation. And where there's an explanation, there's a solution.
They discovered that despite the increase in dopamine, oxytocine et al, people in love have lower levels of serotonin. These lower serotonin levels are the same as those found in people with obsessive-compulsive disorders, possibly explaining why those in love "obsess" about their partner.
So how can we keep the positive effects of falling and love, whilst counteracting the more unpleasant ones? My thoughts would be by boosting serotonin levels.
Apparently a good night sleep helps. The good night sleep which starts before midnight and allows for at least 7 hours of restful sleep. Waking up early helps too. Exercising for at least 30 to 60 mins three times a week is also key. Natural daylight works wonders too - the more you can pack in the better. And food rich in the amino acid tryptophan, which your body converts to serotonin, such as chicken, cottage cheese, dark chocolate, eggs, oats, pork, turkey, wheat germ, soya beans, salmon.
Interesting how a healthy lifestyle can even sort out our love lives. Think I'll head to the nearest organic food shop before my bootcamp class tonight. And I'm not even in love, but getting ready just in case! ;)
**Essays in Love –
Alain de Botton, Picador, 2006
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