Love is in the air. Plans are underway. And celebrations loom for lovers and loved ones. In this month and season of love, lovers and loved ones celebrate the strength and beauty of love in all its manifestations.

It’s the season when gift cards, roses, chocolate, dinner dates, engagement rings, and even sex reign supreme.

But did you know that Valentine’s Day is not just about love? It’s the season for a full-body experience. Yes, you read it right. From heart-thumping excitement to relaxation and high levels of hormones, your body goes through quite a ride. But really, what is the impact of February 14th on people’s health?

The heart gets a workout

 There is no denying that Valentine’s Day is all about matters of the heart. This vital body organ gets all of the attention.

That fluttery feeling in your chest, when you think about your partner, can trigger the brain to release dopamine hormone, which not only makes you feel euphoric but also boosts the circulation of blood.

As a result, it mimics the effects of moderate physical activity. Dr Lorrel Brown, a cardiologist at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in Kentucky, United States denotes that love indeed has some benefits on the heart.

She shares that the oxytocin hormone, a happy hormone just like dopamine, is released in love. When oxytocin levels go up, it lowers blood pressure, thus slowing the heart rate.

However, you don’t have to be in a romantic relationship to experience all this goodness. The cardiologist notes “Love can also apply to other relationships. And as long as it brings you happiness, it is good for the heart.

Therefore, love is all you need on Valentine’s Day whether romantic or platonic.

Glowing skin

 They say, your skin shines brightest when embraced affectionately. Could this be why when someone is in love he or she tends to have glowing skin?

With love always at its peak on February 14th, the body releases the oxytocin hormone aka the love hormone, and happy hormones including dopamine and serotonin, which lower stress levels, giving your skin a natural glow.

Moreover, since your heart beats faster and is slightly stronger than usual, it improves your overall blood circulation.

The Laser Vascular Center reveals that when there’s a healthy blood flow, essential nutrients and oxygen are delivered to the skin, ensuring cell renewal and repair. Ultimately, it makes the skin look brighter and better. It’s called the ‘mid-morning Valentine glow.’

A Crappy Digestive System

Yes. Valentine’s Day can throw your digestive system into total chaos. Let’s start with the butterflies one is bound to feel in the stomach when anxious about a date.

It’s called the ‘butterfly effect’, which releases adrenaline compelling your body to be in flight mode. Some people actually feel nauseous and might want to use the bathroom.

Then, there is the overindulgence in unhealthy offerings such as foods rich in sugar, fats, and even wine and alcohol. All these can slow digestion and potentially result in heartburn. And while ladies typically would want to fit perfectly in their little red dresses, they are bound to bloating which is caused by bacteria from high-sugar foods.

Improved memory

As surprising as it sounds, Valentine’s Day holds the power to boost women’s memory. But only if they indulge in sex.

A study by the McGill University in Canada found that women who have more sex tend to have better memory compared to those who don’t.

It is largely connected in sex being an exercise that eases mental conditions thus positively impacting memory. Since Valentine’s Day provides an opportunity to celebrate love and connection, some intimacy can be good for the brain.

Pregnancy

 After sugar and spice and everything nice, there’s a party pooper lurking around waiting to destroy the party. You’ve probably heard that most November babies were actually conceived during the Valentine’s season.

The math doesn’t lie. During Valentine’s Day, feel-good hormones often cloud many people’s judgement, and the excitement makes them indulge in ‘raw sex’ as its popularly dubbed.

As such, pregnancy is a real possibility for women especially if they’ve indulged during their ovulation phase, which is usually the fertile window.

Not to mention the silent risks, which include Sexually Transmitted Infections and diseases, which may have some health effects such as a burning sensation during urination and unusual smelly discharges, ultimately ruining the Valentine’s Day experience.