Love can be a complicated thing. Scientists, sociologists, and researchers have studied it for years. They have tried to find the right words to explain it, but still, it is a mystery. It is a feeling that can warm your heart, capture your soul, and make your heart go pitter-patter.
Despite its complexity, scientists have come up with some general definitions of love. Many researchers believe that love is a primary emotion like happiness or anger, while others say that it may be more of a complex secondary emotion.
The first stage of love is attraction, which involves a jumble of chemicals that can cause your cheeks to flush and palms to sweat when you see someone you’re attracted to. It also involves a desire to be around that person, to spend time with them, and to think about them. This can be triggered by proximity or propinquity, as well as by the chemistry of hormones like dopamine and adrenaline.
This stage of love can be replaced by attachment, which is a deeper bond that can lead to commitment. This stage can be triggered by the chemistry of hormones like dopamine, norepinephrine, and oxytocin (the “cuddle” hormone). It is the feeling that you want to stay close to this person, even in the hard times, and that you would go out of your way for them. It is often accompanied by the sense that this person knows you better than anyone else, and that they understand your quirks and foibles.
Commitment and loyalty are the hallmarks of this phase of love, which can last a lifetime. This is a deep and lasting commitment that makes you feel safe to share your secrets, fears, and insecurities with them. This type of love is sometimes referred to as pragma, or rational love, in contrast with the more passionate and obsessive agape.
In a healthy relationship, the different stages of love are balanced and mutually supportive. A healthy couple can move from attraction through attachment to pragma and then to agape in an ongoing cycle of self-discovery and appreciation. This kind of love can be hard to achieve, but it is a necessary component of happy and long-term relationships.
In addition to the different feelings associated with each of these types of love, some people have a combination of love styles. For example, some people experience a mix of manic and pragma love, while others experience agape and a desire for companionship. For this reason, it is important to recognize and value all the different forms of love in our lives. It is the only way to truly appreciate and celebrate the joy that comes from being loved. The best way to show your loved ones how much you care is to be there for them, support them, and help them through the tough times. If you do this, you will have a full and rich life, and you will be able to enjoy all the wonderful things that love has to offer.