NEWS RELEASE

December 30, 2008 

Saying ‘I Love You’ Helps Lower Stress

 Study shows how affectionate communication can lead to improved health conditions 

WASHINGTON, DC — The more often people receive expressions of affection from their loved ones, the healthier their stress hormones are, according to new research that appeared in Communications Currents an online publication of the National Communication Association. The study suggests that increasing affectionate behavior in close relationships may be able to improve health conditions that are exacerbated by stress, such as elevated blood sugar or high cholesterol.

Since giving and receiving affectionate communication is good for you, researchers believe that encouragement to increase affectionate communication in families and close relationships may soon be a common component to relational therapy.

“Being affectionate with each other doesn't necessarily solve people's relational problems,” said Kory Floyd, Ph.D., Arizona State University, one of the authors of the study. “But it enhances their ability to handle stress which can fortify their ability to deal with relational issues directly instead of being immobilized by them.”

Floyd and Sarah Riforgiate, followed 20 married couples and asked them to report on their levels of affectionate communication with each other. Spouses indicated how often they expressed three different kinds of affectionate communication: verbal statements (saying ‘I love you’); direct nonverbal gestures (such as kissing, holding hands), and social support behaviors (listening to each other, helping with problems).

One spouse from each couple also had their saliva examined for levels of two prominent stress hormones. Participant’s hormone levels were compared to their reported affectionate communication. It was found that those who received more affectionate communication had lower stress hormone levels than those who received little, or less affectionate communication.

“Giving and receiving affection feels good to us because they are good for us,” Floyd said. “One of the most productive ways to lessen the effects of daily stress is to reach out to the people you love and express your affection for them.”

Floyd is a Professor of Human Communication at Arizona State University. Riforgiate is a doctoral student at Arizona State University. This essay originally appeared in Communication Monographs and is in the current edition of Communication Currents, both publications of the National Communication Association. To access this article please go to http://www.communicationcurrents.com/index.asp?bid=15&issuepage=128&False