Be Well

Even though we all have the most incredible Be Well Health Club on hand, life gets in the way. Work can overtake our allocated time for health and fitness, travel can make it hard to get back into our former routine, family commitments take precedence. I know this all too well! So I regularly remind myself of the physical and mental benefits I am gaining and banking when I prioritise my health, fitness and wellbeing daily or even just 3 times a week. This week I dipped into some of the inspiring science about what happens from Day 1 to One Month to a Year On when we keep showing up for ourselves, and our bodies! From Day 1 The moment you start exercising your body begins complex processes to rebuild its fitness and, while change is slow, it’s continuous and worth staying the course for the long haul. Your resting metabolic rate increases after exercise. Your body consumes more energy for muscle repair, therefore burning more calories when not exercising, and ironically, rather than making you hungrier, over time exercise reduces your appetite. Sleep improves as your body repairs overnight and improves fluid distribution and the important added protein synthesis to build more muscle fibres. After only a week the mood-boosting powers of exercise kick in with the brain releasing endorphins, those wonderful feel-good hormones. It’s why some people eventually develop a need, and even craving, to exercise regularly. After a Month After just four weeks of 2 or 3 visits a week to Be Well, you will notice improvements to your strength and fitness, standing straighter and walking a bit faster. Recovery after exercise speeds up, thanks to the nervous system learning how to more efficiently contract your muscles. On a cellular level, mitochondria – those mini power plants that produce energy – multiply, meaning that your body produces more energy. You might notice you’re sweating more when exercising. That’s because your body has become better at regulating its temperature. Your body is more sensitive to the need to remove heat, and as you get more physically fit, you are working harder and therefore producing more heat. After a Year Those improvements you saw to your strength and fitness after the first month will increase significantly. You should also feel more flexible, agile, and have improved posture, with less back and joint pain. Whether or not it’s one of your goals, you’ll probably see changes to your physical appearance, be it your body weight or muscle mass. Your body’s physical changes – a stronger heart, bones and muscles – play a key role in reducing your risk of developing serious health conditions, including heart disease, type two diabetes, cancer and obesity. Generally, you will likely be feeling happier than you did a year ago. Research shows people who work out even once a week tend to be more cheerful than those who never exercise and those who work out regularly experience fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety. After nearly two years at Be Well, we have seen the evidence of Day One to Year One and beyond in many of our Members, as they gain a new level of fitness, health and wellbeing. Of course, rapid recovery is privileged alongside personalized fitness at Be Well. So make the most of having everything all under one roof, never having to drive from place to place again for the rest of your life 😅! Double down on extending your healthspan and get your fill of: hot/cold therapeutic baths; normatec compression; remedial and lymphatic massages; infrared saunas;  with red light therapy built in; and, state of the art hydroxy airpod. See you at Be Well again soon! Navigate to more articles! PrevPreviousIlluminate Your Inner Journey with Lucia Light Therapy at Be Well Be Well is the first-of-its- kind urban health, wellness and lifestyle club in Melbourne, Australia.  Informed by the science of longevity, Be Well nurtures the relationship you have with yourself and others, to optimise your lifestyle, and live your longest, best life.

Have you ever wondered what it would feel like if wellness and wonder came together? Imagine stepping into a realm where your mind is free, your body is at ease, and your spirit is lifted. At Urban Health Retreat Be Well, this vision becomes a reality with Lucia Light Therapy. So, what exactly is Lucia Light Therapy?  It’s a transformative experience that taps into the power of light to activate your inner light. The Lucia N°03, crafted by clinical psychologists and neurologists Dr. Englebert Winkler and Dr. Dirk Proeckl, stands at the forefront of light therapy tools worldwide. Its medical-grade engineering and precision assembly ensure an unparalleled journey into your subconscious. But how does it work? It’s simple yet profound. The wide spectrum solid and flickering light of the Lucia N°03 enters your body through closed eyes, traveling along your optic nerve and into the central brain. This journey ignites a cascade of responses within you. As the light permeates through your cells, your nervous system responds, shifting from beta-dominance to alpha-theta frequencies. This transition induces deep relaxation, activating neural networks and chemicals that facilitate creativity, clarity, and a sense of wonder. You’re no longer just a passive observer; you become an active participant in your own journey. Picture this: as you immerse yourself in the experience, colors, shapes, and patterns dance behind your closed eyelids, unveiling a kaleidoscope of light. Your mind drifts, thoughts fade, and you’re guided by your breath and the accompanying music through a landscape of inner exploration. A Catalyst for Profound Shifts Within But Lucia Light Therapy is more than just a visual spectacle. It’s a catalyst for profound shifts within. With each session, you downregulate your nervous system, inviting in clarity, creativity, and compassion. You learn to respond to life with grace, reaching your highest potential. Moreover, Lucia Light opens the door to hypnagogia, the magical space between wakefulness and sleep. Here, you can experience deep relaxation, cosmic journeying, lucid dreaming, creative visioning, and manifestation. It’s a space where possibilities are limitless and the boundaries between reality and imagination blur. The reported benefits of Lucia Light Therapy are vast and varied: from increased intuition and access to flow states, to pineal gland activation and nervous system recalibration. Each session is a unique journey, offering visionary exploration and healing on multiple levels. At Be Well, we invite you to embark on your inner journey with Lucia Light Therapy. Let the light guide you to a place of inner peace, creativity, and exultation. Step into the wonder of your own being and discover the transformative power of light. Are you ready to illuminate your path to wellness? Join us at Urban Health Retreat Be Well and experience the magic of Lucia Light Therapy for yourself. Your journey awaits. Booking Details Coming Soon Navigate to more articles! PrevPreviousBe Well: Revolutionising Fitness with Styku 3D Body Scanner Be Well is the first-of-its- kind urban health, wellness and lifestyle club in Melbourne, Australia.  Informed by the science of longevity, Be Well nurtures the relationship you have with yourself and others, to optimise your lifestyle, and live your longest, best life.

In today’s fitness landscape, achieving your health and wellness goals often requires a multifaceted approach. From monitoring your diet to finding the right workout routine, every aspect plays a crucial role in your journey to a healthier lifestyle. However, one key element that is often overlooked is understanding your body composition accurately. This is where the Be Well Styku Body Scanner comes into play, revolutionising the way we perceive fitness and wellness. Understanding Styku 3D Body Scanner: Styku Body Scanner is not just a tool; it’s a technological marvel designed to provide precise and comprehensive insights into your body composition. Using advanced imaging technology, Styku creates a 3D model of your body, capturing even the slightest nuances with exceptional accuracy. Gone are the days of relying on rudimentary measurements or vague estimations – Styku brings precision to the forefront of your fitness journey. How Does Styku Work? The magic of Styku lies in its sophisticated yet user-friendly approach. Here’s how it works: Scan Preparation:  It’s important to wear tight fitting clothes, or your underwear, to obtain the most accuracy from your 3D scan.  To begin, simply step onto the Styku platform and stand still for a few moments. The scanner does the rest, requiring no invasive procedures or uncomfortable measurements. 3D Imaging: Utilising state-of-the-art imaging technology, Styku swiftly captures a detailed 3D model of your body. Every curve, contour, and dimension is meticulously recorded, providing a holistic view of your physique. Analysis and Insights: Once the scanning process is complete, Styku generates a comprehensive report detailing various aspects of your body composition. From body fat percentage and muscle mass distribution to posture analysis and circumference measurements, the insights provided by Styku are invaluable for tailoring your fitness regimen to your unique needs. Progress Tracking: Beyond just a one-time assessment, Styku allows you to track your progress over time. By comparing subsequent scans during your WellonTrack physiotherapist appointments, , you can visualise the changes in your body composition, empowering you to make informed decisions and adjustments to your fitness routine. Benefits of Styku Body Scanner: The benefits of Styku Body Scanner extend far beyond its technical capabilities. Here are just a few reasons why it has become a game-changer in the world of fitness and wellness: Precision and Accuracy: With its advanced imaging technology, Styku delivers unparalleled precision, ensuring that you have an accurate understanding of your body composition. Personalised Wellness & Fitness Plans: Armed with detailed insights from Styku, our Be Well physiotherapist can tailor your Wellon Track workout and recovery plans specifically to your body’s needs, maximising effectiveness and efficiency. Motivation and Accountability: Seeing tangible progress through visual representations of your body composition can be incredibly motivating. Styku keeps you accountable and incentivises you to stay committed to your fitness goals. Holistic Approach: By considering various aspects of your body composition, including posture and muscle symmetry, Styku promotes a holistic approach to health and wellness, addressing underlying issues that may impact your overall fitness. Book your Private Tour: At Be Well, we believe that precision and personalisation are paramount to achieving fitness goals, and your Styku Body Scanner emerges as a beacon of motivation.. By providing comprehensive insights into your body composition with unmatched accuracy, Styku empowers you to take control of your wellness journey like never before. Whether you’re a couch potato, or fitness enthusiast, or simply someone striving for a healthier lifestyle, Styku and Be Well is your trusted companion in the pursuit of wellness. Book a private tour Navigate to more articles! PrevPreviousAre you in the 20%? Be Well is the first-of-its- kind urban health, wellness and lifestyle club in Melbourne, Australia.  Informed by the science of longevity, Be Well nurtures the relationship you have with yourself and others, to optimise your lifestyle, and live your longest, best life.

It’s three months since 1 January. when many of us committed or recommitted to getting healthy and well for 2024! I went on my month-long annual detox program which has extended nicely beyond January, with a few stop/starts due to some family events and special occasions along the way! A Forbes Health/One Poll survey found that the average resolution lasts 3.74 months, which is much better than doing nothing. However, according to recent research undertaken by Stockholm University, only 19% of people stick to their resolutions after 2 years. So what’s different about Be Well, where most of our Members are going strong a year or two later? Well, three things, at least! All Under One Roof The most boring thing about gyms, is that they are, well boring! And dark and testosterone factories ++. Sure, many are adding recovery like saunas etc but they are not purpose built with a Member journey, mission and outcomes front of mind. At Be Well there are many paths and adventures to take with our carefully curated equipment, classes and allied health services. There’s just no time to get bored! Getting started properly Our expert team and senior Physiotherapist provide a professional assessment and a clear plan before you begin at Be Well with a review every 3 months to coach, support, adjust and celebrate the gains! Community, community, community. A Be Well Member said to me the other day,’I come to Be Well sometimes and forget to do all the things I meant to because I just love meeting and talking to other members and team here’. Our community of like-minded people, Be Well Conversations with guest and experts, diverse classes and more have built an incredible community. We firmly believe we all do better together. How to stay in the special 20%, and not end up in the quitting 80% Even though we all have the most incredible Be Well Health Club on hand, life gets in the way. Work can overtake our allocated time for health and fitness, travel can make it hard to get back into our former routine, family commitments take precedence. I know, I know all too well! There are three proven ways to help us stay the course that definitely work for me: A 3-month goal Plan/schedule a week or so ahead, towards that goal Buddy up – make a commitment to/ with someone else. So stay the course, you special 20%ers, we’ve got your back at Be Well! Navigate to more articles! PrevPreviousBoosting Your Health: The Benefits of Lymphatic Drainage Massage NextBe Well: Revolutionising Fitness with Styku 3D Body ScannerNext Be Well is the first-of-its- kind urban health, wellness and lifestyle club in Melbourne, Australia.  Informed by the science of longevity, Be Well nurtures the relationship you have with yourself and others, to optimise your lifestyle, and live your longest, best life.

Introduction: Understanding How to Feel Better We are noticing an increasing number of members expressing curiosity about lymphatic drainage massage, and a growing demand for this healing service from Megan, Be Well’s remedial massage therapist..   Because everyone who lives, breathes and eats, and  as the world is filled with stress, toxins and environmental pollutants, lymphatic drainage massage can be a valuable tool for promoting overall health and wellness. Manual lymphatic drainage is a specialised massage technique designed to stimulate the flow of lymph fluid and remove blockages within the lymphatic system. Using gentle, rhythmic movements, trained therapists apply light pressure to specific areas of the body, encouraging the lymphatic vessels to transport lymph fluid more efficiently. This gentle, non-invasive therapy can have profound effects on the body’s ability to detoxify, heal, and regenerate. But what exactly is it, and who can benefit from it? Explaining Lymphatic Drainage Massage: A Special Massage for Feeling Better Lymphatic drainage massage is a special kind of massage that helps to move fluid around our bodies better. It’s gentle and done by a trained therapist, like Megan at Be Well,  who uses light pressure to help your body get rid of toxins and feel healthier. This kind of massage can make a big difference in how you feel and how well your body works. Spotting Signs of Trouble: Listening to What Our Bodies Tell Us Our bodies give us clues when something isn’t quite right. Signs like swollen body parts, tummy troubles, allergies, sore spots in our neck or armpits, stiff joints, and feeling tired all the time can mean our lymphatic system needs a little help. Paying attention to these signs helps us take care of our bodies better. Finding Out What Causes Problems: Understanding Why We Feel Off There are lots of reasons why our lymphatic system might not be working its best. Sitting for a long time, getting an injury,  not moving enough, wearing tight clothes, having surgeries that affect our lymph system, getting sick a lot, and being around harmful toxins can all mess with how well our bodies work. Knowing what these things are helps us avoid them or find ways to deal with them. Enjoying the Benefits: Feeling Better With Lymphatic Drainage Massage Getting lymphatic drainage massage can help us feel a lot better. It boosts our immune system, helps with pain and swelling, and makes us feel more energetic. Whether we have ongoing health issues or just want to feel our best every day, this kind of massage can be a real game-changer for our health. Conclusion: Taking Steps Toward Feeling Great In a world where there’s a lot that can make us feel not-so-great, it’s important to find ways to help our bodies stay healthy and happy. Lymphatic drainage massage is one of those ways. By giving our bodies a little extra help in getting rid of toxins, we can feel better, stronger, and more alive every day. It’s a simple but powerful way to invest in our health and well-being. Secure your spot now for a rejuvenating lymphatic drainage massage with Megan at Be Well. Book Now Navigate to more articles! PrevPreviousWomen are not small men NextAre you in the 20%?Next Be Well is the first-of-its- kind urban health, wellness and lifestyle club in Melbourne, Australia.  Informed by the science of longevity, Be Well nurtures the relationship you have with yourself and others, to optimise your lifestyle, and live your longest, best life.

I have noticed almost everyone who sets up a gym, spa, pilates studio or wellness centre is a former athlete, sportsperson, PT, physio, a long committed gym junkie or has come from one of these places prior to establishing their own. About 70% of these people are also male, although 54.3% of their members are female with the majority being 18 – 35 years of age, with a major decline in participation from there on in. We’re all outliers at Be Well. In more ways than one! Not only by our gender and age demographic but also our fitness stories. I have been a consistent yogi over many decades and David had been a triathlete and marathon runner in his much younger years, but you would never have caught either of us at a gym or doing Pilates or resistance training. Only this week two female Members reminded me they too have never been to a ‘gym’ in their life, have never loved exercise and never had time to pursue their wellbeing. They told me how much Be Well have changed their lives. How they feel happier, healthier and stronger after only a few short months. When we opened Be Well two years ago fresh out of Covid and the longest lockdown in the world, David, who had had a heart attack in 2017, had been researching health and longevity for several years. I, on the other hand, looked like every bit of the comfort food I ate to survive those years, the limited exercise sitting on Zoom for 10 hours a day, and time spent caring for my 86 year old father-in-law and family. Unlike in my 20’s, 30’s or 40’s, it’s taken me a focused year to shed my extra Covid Ks. I totally neglected to take into account post-menopause. It takes physical and emotional time to reset and its a shock not to have the bounce-back-body I relied upon when I was younger! I have seen so many physical, mental and physiological changes in our Members since we opened the doors of Be Well nearly two years ago. There is still very limited research and information, particularly about women like my mother who had children, raised families, went through menopause, did some grandmothering and then pretty much faded into the curtains. No one anticipated the need for an entire New Chapter in health due to most of us living well into our 90’s from here on in. We’re all on journey to a new frontier and women need to rethink their health and fitness plan. Dr Peter Attia is all the buzz globally with his book Live, which is great, but I’ve been interested in learning more about women’s health and longevity over the past few years. I’ve discovered way more about my health from Dr Stacy Sims, nutritionist, exercise physiologist and leading expert on women’s exercise science than from any of the ‘guru’ blokes trying to find the fountain of youth. ‘Women are not small men’. Stacy coined that phrase. She is an incredibly knowledgeable researcher and practitioner in womens health and fitness with peri-menopause, menopause and post-menopause areas of specialty. Here’s just two golden quotes and one myth-buster from a recent interview I listened to: “It’s all about our hormones: Estrogen acts on a woman like testosterone acts on a man when we’re talking about lean mass. And we know that lean mass is one of the first things to go in menopause. A lot of women will say, I don’t know what happened. I’ve been doing the same things and all of a sudden I’m squishy! Women start to see these changes in their bodies and try to exercise more, or eat less, or follow fad diets. This doesn’t work because its not about metabolism per se. It’s about how hormones are affecting the basic cell of the muscle fiber. Estrogen is responsible for stimulating that basic muscle cell to grow and develop. It’s also responsible for how two proteins come together – actin and myosin – they bond together and shorten the fibers and that’s what causes your muscle contraction. Estrogen is responsible for how myosin attaches to actin. So when we start to have different levels of estrogen, the combination of actin and myosin is thrown off. We don’t have as much strength because we can’t stimulate the muscle fibers to contract as strongly as they used to.” “Women need some muscle: women have to be very specific regarding exercise before, during, after menopause. Why? Because we need to invoke a response to build lean muscle mass. We need to invoke a response to maintain and build our bones. We need to invoke a response that’s going to help with our serotonin and our norepinephrine – these two are tightly tied to hot flushes. We also want to invoke a stress that’s going to change our gut microbiome, because we see a significant decrease in diversity, especially in late peri-menopause. The more muscle you have, the better your blood sugar control. We see how it changes the diversity of our gut microbiome. It improves brain health and yes, you’re going to look better. You’re going to get some definition, you’re going to be stronger. And it’s just so important to break that socio-cultural idea that women shouldn’t be lifting weights.” “Fasted training: the aging trajectory for men is different to women, and the responses are different. Fasting before exercise is one of the things I really want to push back on. When women do fasted training the first thing to go is your lean muscle mass. And after four days of fasted training, we end up with a decrease in our thyroid function. Doctors often tell women they should do fasted training for mitochondrial health and to lose weight.
It’s based on male data. When we look at female data it’s a different story.” You can dive into Dr Stacy Sims, her book ROAR and podcasts more yourself – you’ll learn an

A friend was told they needed major surgery recently. They are not in great shape though,and their specialiist said, ‘You need to be in better health before surgery for the best results’. They sent my friend away with a note to ‘get healthier.’ Not a huge amount of direction, I’m sure you’ll agree! On the other hand, my brother had bariatric surgery a few years ago and the 3 months prep couldn’t have been more detailed and specific to get in shape for his surgery. For many people needing surgery the focus is often on the procedure itself and the immediate recovery period. It got me thinking about how we all know about the essential need for rehabilitation after surgery, accidents and injuries but how little we know about the immense value of prehabilitation. You wouldn’t run a marathon without training and when you think about it, no matter how large or small the intervention whether at the GP or a hospital or the Dentist, any kind of surgery is physically and psychologically stressful. What if there was a way to improve your surgical outcome and bounce back faster? Enter prehabilitation, a proactive approach to optimizing your health before surgery. So here’s my deep dive into prehabilitation for you and / or your family and friends this week! What is prehabilitation? Prehabilitation, or prehab for short, is a personalized program designed to enhance your physical fitness and overall wellbeing before undergoing surgery. It typically involves a combination of aerobic exercise, strength training, and functional exercises to improve your cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and balance; a nutritional plan to help your body heal faster and build resilience; and, support to address anxiety and stress to improve your coping mechanisms and recovery. The data speaks for itself. Research has shown numerous benefits associated with prehabilitation: ● Reduced complications A study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that prehabilitation programs led to a 23% decrease in postoperative complications for patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. ● Shorter hospital stays A 2017 review published in JAMA Surgery found that prehabilitation programs could reduce hospital stays by an average of 2.3 days. ● Faster recovery A 2022 study published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders demonstrated that prehabilitation programs helped patients regain functional independence faster after total knee replacement surgery. ● Improved quality of life Studies have shown that prehabilitation can lead tobetter pain management, reduced fatigue, and improved overall quality of life following surgery. Prehab at Be Well I had a chat with Pat Lynch, our Senior Physiotherapist, about this recently and he told me overall recovery is 30% faster with prehab than without. That’s pretty incredible! Fortunately, we provide both prehab and rehab programs at Be Well and for anyone, not only Members. Along with Pat, Dr Kate O’Brien and Jane Mitchell, our dietician and our PTs, we create personalized plans to optimize your health and empower you for a faster and smoother recovery journey. See you soon at Be Well! See you again at Be Well soon! Navigate to more articles! PrevPreviousShifting Focus – Health Care vs Sick Care NextWomen are not small menNext Be Well is the first-of-its- kind urban health, wellness and lifestyle club in Melbourne, Australia.  Informed by the science of longevity, Be Well nurtures the relationship you have with yourself and others, to optimise your lifestyle, and live your longest, best life.

In the realm of wellness, there’s a profound distinction between health care and sick care. Health care is proactive, centred around fostering wellbeing and preventing illness. Sick care is reactive, addressing sickness and disease after they’ve manifested. As someone whose family has experienced open heart surgery, appendix removals, many births, gall bladder removals, dementia, and on, it goes without saying that Western Medicine is extraordinary and often seemingly miraculous.  The medical services we are privileged to enjoy in Melbourne, backed by Medicare, are world class. I’m forever grateful to our primary and allied health professionals for their extraordinary skills and dedication. That said, and many members of Melbourne’s medical system agree, we have yet to get the balance right between health care and sick care. For a fascinating read about lifestyle, DNA and longevity, go here Optimal health isn’t merely the absence of disease. It’s the presence of vitality and resilience. It involves cultivating habits that support the body’s natural healing mechanisms, bolstering immunity against illness, extending our healthspan (years of good health) and our longevity (years of life). Health care is holistic, encompassing physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. It prioritizes preventive measures such as regular exercise, balanced nutrition, adequate sleep, and stress management, under the rubric of LifeStyle Medicine. Which is why we say at Be Well, ‘your lifestyle is your medicine’.   Sick care is necessary after our health has already been compromised, with its familiar routines of diagnoses and treatment. While essential in managing acute conditions and providing critical care, sick care often falls short in addressing underlying factors contributing to illness. In that context, I’m thrilled to invite you to join Dr Nguyen, BMedSci (Hons), MBBS (Hons), FRACGP, MHP, GCHPE, GAICD in our next Be Well Conversation, on Thursday 14 March. Dr Nguyen was both the Victorian and National GP of the Year in 2021. Among his many appointments, Dr Nguyen is the current President of the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine. Medical and cultural education is his number one passion as it allows him to make a greater impact on people’s lives through teaching and learning.He has worked extensively as a GP and Medical and Cultural Educator in urban, rural and remote Aboriginal community health service throughout the Northern Territory and Victoria. I hope you will join me for a fascinating conversation with Dr Nguyen, and a deep dive into health care and Lifestyle Medicine with a world-class expert. Booking details are below. See you again at Be Well soon! Navigate to more articles! PrevPreviousLove Potion or Poison? The Dance of Love and Health NextYou know about Rehab but what about Prehab?Next Be Well is the first-of-its- kind urban health, wellness and lifestyle club in Melbourne, Australia.  Informed by the science of longevity, Be Well nurtures the relationship you have with yourself and others, to optimise your lifestyle, and live your longest, best life.

This week’s I thought I would share what I’ve learned about fascinating world of love and its impact on our health. Is it a magic potion granting eternal life, or a toxic brew leading to heartbreak and hospital bills? With Valentine’s Day just behind us, this is a good time to separate the scientific fact from the mushy Hallmark card fiction. “Love is a biological necessity—it’s as needed for our well-being as exercise, water, and food,” said neuroscientist Stephanie Cacioppo, PhD, author of Wired for Love: A Neuroscientist’s Journey Through Romance, Loss, and the Essence of Human Connection (Macmillan, 2022). With that in mind, this is what i’ve learned recently about love and health.   LOVE WINS Lifespan Lifeline   Turns out, love might just be the fountain of youth you’ve been searching for. Studies show people who are married (and those in strong social bonds) tend to live longer, with a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, and even some cancers. Stress Slayer   We like touch, both giving and receiving. Love triggers the release of oxytocin, a feel-good hormone that lowers stress hormones and blood pressure, leaving you feeling calm and collected. Talk about natural Xanax! Pain Reliever   Ever stub your toe while holding hands? Turns out, love can actually act as a pain reliever. Research suggests feeling loved activates brain regions associated with pain reduction. Try a warm hug or deep embrace, rather than Panadol. After all, this is what we do with young children! Immunity Booster   Studies show strong social connections can boost our immune system, making us less susceptible to illnesses. The opposite also applied: loniliness can make us a lot more prone to sickness. LOVE HURTS   Let’s be real, breakups suck. And not just emotionally. Studies show heartbreak can actually trigger physical symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and even changes in brain activity. A broken heart can literally hurt. Stress Monster   While love can reduce stress, unhealthy relationships can have the opposite effect. Constant arguments, jealousy, and emotional abuse can trigger chronic stress, leading to a host of health problems, from headaches to insomnia. Loneliness Blues   Loneliness has been linked to increased inflammation, weakened immune systems, and even higher mortality rates. So if you’re feeling alone, reach out to friends, family, or actively set out to develop new friendships at places such as Be Well. Connecting with others is key. The Verdict   So, is love good for your health? The answer, like most things in life, is complicated. Healthy, loving relationships are a treasure trove of physical and mental health benefits. But toxic, stressful relationships take a toll on our well-being. The key is to cultivate supportive, nurturing bonds that make us feel good, inside and out. Love is a complex dance that impacts our entire being. Choose your partners wisely, nurture your connections, and remember, self-love is just as important as romantic love. Go forth and spread the love (and the science)! See you soon at Be Well. Navigate to more articles! NextShifting Focus – Health Care vs Sick CareNext Be Well is the first-of-its- kind urban health, wellness and lifestyle club in Melbourne, Australia.  Informed by the science of longevity, Be Well nurtures the relationship you have with yourself and others, to optimise your lifestyle, and live your longest, best life.