Love might be one of the most overlooked tools for supporting immune health. Not in a romantic, hearts-and-flowers way, but in the very real sense that it helps your body feel safe enough to function optimally.

 

When you feel genuinely supported, your nervous system relaxes. Your breathing slows, your shoulders drop, and your body steps out of constant high alert. Over time, this calmer state is linked to lower inflammation and steadier immune function.

 

When connection is missing, the opposite can happen. Loneliness, ongoing tension, or the feeling that you have to cope alone keeps stress switched on in the background. That quiet, constant stress can wear down immune resilience. One of the kindest things you can do for your health is to create more moments that feel safe, warm, and genuinely connecting.

 

The Chemistry of Feeling Loved

 

Feeling close and supported releases oxytocin, often called the “love hormone.” Hugs, laughter, eye contact, or simply being understood by someone you trust can all trigger it.

 

Oxytocin helps calm the stress response by reducing cortisol, the chemical that can weaken immune function and increase inflammation when levels remain elevated. Even brief moments of connection can lower stress hormones for hours, giving immune cells a chance to recover and work more effectively.

 

Oxytocin also communicates directly with immune cells, which carry receptors that allow them to “hear” this signal of safety. In the brain’s immune cells, called microglia, it helps dial down excessive inflammatory signals that could otherwise damage tissue. In other immune cells, it shifts the balance away from aggressive, inflammatory responses and toward calmer, more restorative ones, encouraging the immune system to respond thoughtfully rather than overreact.

 

Research shows these effects matter in practice. Under stress or illness, increased oxytocin is linked to better survival of key immune cells, reduced unnecessary immune cell flooding into tissues, and protection of organs involved in immune development. In animal studies, it even helped keep stress hormones lower for days while supporting healthier overall immune function.

 

 

Everyday love versus high-alert love

 

Early love can feel exhilarating, but it can also be physiologically intense. New relationships often come with surges of oxytocin alongside spikes in stress hormones, reflecting excitement and uncertainty. Over time, as bonds feel more secure, stress hormones tend to settle while oxytocin remains steady.

 

It is this quieter, settled form of connection through secure partnerships, close friendships and supportive family ties that appears most beneficial for long-term immune health. These relationships help buffer daily stress, reduce inflammation and support the immune system in responding more effectively to everyday challenges.

 

Giving love matters just as much as receiving it. Acts of kindness, care, and support also release oxytocin. Helping someone, listening fully, or simply showing up reinforces the same internal message: you are connected and you do not have to face life alone.

 

 

Supporting Immunity with Connection and Daily Habits 

 

Feeling safe and connected is one of the simplest ways to support your immune system. When your nervous system is calm, inflammation is lower and your body can recover more efficiently. Alongside this emotional foundation, small practical steps help your immune system do its work.

 

You do not need grand gestures to strengthen immunity. Simple, repeatable habits matter most. Unrushed hugs - at least 20 seconds, the science shows -  shared laughter, and regular check-ins with people who make you feel seen all send a signal to your body that it is safe. Small acts of kindness, whether helping a friend or simply listening, reinforce the same message.

 

One gentle way to support immunity is through Leapfrog IMMUNE. Taken as part of a daily routine, it complements healthy habits like rest, nourishing food, and meaningful connection. Leapfrog IMMUNE contains lactoferrin, a naturally occurring protein that helps defend the body; vitamin C, which protects cells and supports immune function; and zinc, which maintains tissues and supports repair.

 

A Valentine’s Reflection

 

This Valentine’s Day, pause for a moment and notice how your body feels in your relationships and daily routines.

 

You might take a moment to ask yourself:

 

1. Where in my life do I really feel safe, seen and supported?
2. What kinds of connection do I want to bring more of into my days?
3. How can I give myself a little extra care, whether through rest, a kind word, or something nourishing for my body and mind?

This Valentine’s, focus on care that lasts. Let Leapfrog IMMUNE help take care of your immune health while you focus on connection, kindness and wellbeing.

 

Reference list

Carter, C.S. and Porges, S.W. (2013). The biochemistry of love: an oxytocin hypothesis. EMBO Reports, [online] 14(1), pp.12–16. doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/embor.2012.191.

Gonzalez, A. and Hammock, E.A.D. (2022). Oxytocin and microglia in the development of social behaviour. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences, [online] 377(1858), p.20210059. doi:https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2021.0059.

Jiang, J., Yang, M., Tian, M., Chen, Z., Xiao, L. and Gong, Y. (2023). Intertwined associations between oxytocin, immune system and major depressive disorder. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 163, p.114852. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114852.

Kingsbury, M.A. (2024). The intertwining of oxytocin’s effects on social affiliation and inflammation. Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology, [online] 19, pp.100239–100239. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpnec.2024.100239.

Murray, D.R., Haselton, M.G., Fales, M. and Cole, S.W. (2019). Falling in Love is Associated with Immune System Gene Regulation. Psychoneuroendocrinology, [online] 100, pp.120–126. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.09.043.

Pourriyahi, H., Yazdanpanah, N., Saghazadeh, A. and Rezaei, N. (2021). Loneliness: An Immunometabolic Syndrome. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(22), p.12162. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182212162.

Trachtenberg, E. (2024). The beneficial effects of social support and prosocial behavior on immunity and health: A psychoneuroimmunology perspective. Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health, [online] pp.100758–100758. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100758.