Energized by love: Thinking about romantic relationships increases positive affect and blood glucose levels

Abstract

We assessed the impact of thinking of a current romantic partner on acute blood glucose responses and positive affect over a short period of time. Participants in romantic relationships were randomly assigned to reflect on their partner, an opposite-sex friend, or their morning routine. Blood glucose levels were assessed prior to reflection, as well as at 10 and 25 min postreflection. Results revealed that individuals in the routine and friend conditions exhibited a decline in glucose over time, whereas individuals in the partner condition did not exhibit this decline (rather, a slight increase) in glucose over time. Reported positive affect following reflection was positively associated with increases in glucose, but only for individuals who reflected on their partner, suggesting this physiological response reflects eustress. These findings add to the literature on eustress in relationships and have implications for relationship processes.

Interpersonal mechanisms linking close relationships to health.

“…Love is not only rewarding, it may also boost energy and metabolic resources. For example, thinking about one’s romantic partner (vs. a friend or other control) increases positive affect and blood glucose levels (Stanton, Campbell, & Loving, 2014). …”

A theory of social thermoregulation in human primates

“…There are some other studies that were documented on the role of skin-to-skin contact and its relation to skin temperature which may show the connection between touch and skin temperature, to which we return when we discuss developmental thermoregulation. More indirect links have been provided between close relationships and the regulation of metabolic resources: Henriksen et al (2014) found that being socially integrated is related to a lesser consumption of drinks containing sugar during pregnancy, while thinking about a romantic partner (who is likely to be a source of warmth) leads to a slight increase in glucose levels ( Stanton et al, 2014 ). The first part of a research agenda on social thermoregulation should thus focus on uncovering the relationship between social integration, thermoregulation, and metabolism regulation in humans.…”

A Comparison of Mothers and Childfree Women on the Common Characteristics of Romantic Love

“…Likewise, Stanton et al (2014) found that blood glucose levels increased when participants were asked to reflect upon their romantic relationships when compared with friend and routine control groups. This increase in blood glucose level was associated with positive affect as reported by participants.…”

“…It has been established that romantic love is a cultural universal, albeit not everyone in a given society can express it in the same way (Buss, 2006; Jankowiak, 2008; Jankowiak & Fischer, 1992). Accordingly, psychophysiological characteristics have been documented by evolutionary psychologists (e.g., Fisher, 2004; Loving, Crockett, & Paxson, 2009; Stanton, Campbell, & Loving, 2014) and efforts have been made to identify common cross-cultural characteristics. In 2009, de Munck, Korotayev, and Khaltourina launched a survey that discovered a “common core” in perceptions and ideologies regarding romantic love between the United States and Russia.…”