Love Isn't Just a Feeling — it's a Biological Event
The Science of Connection
By Sonja Stilp, MD
May is Women’s Health Month. I dive into the science of connection, maternal warmth, and why the women in your life are part of your healing team. Let’s explore what happens inside the body when women connect — and the research might surprise you:
Love accelerates healing. A 2025 clinical trial in JAMA Psychiatry found that oxytocin combined with affectionate touch and kind words literally made wounds heal faster. The body repairs itself better when it feels connected.
Connection adds years to your life. A landmark study of over 72,000 women found that socially connected women lived 10% longer — and were 41% more likely to reach age 85.
A mother's warmth shapes health for decades. Research tracking children from age 3 to 17 found that early maternal warmth predicted better physical and mental health over a decade later — no matter what motherhood looks like for you.
This month, share this with a woman who has lifted you up. Tag her. Tell her. Be the reason she knows it mattered.
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At St. Vincent Health, our team is here to support the physical and emotional well-being of our community and help patients find practical ways to feel healthier, more balanced, and more resilient. If you would like to talk about any medical concern with a provider, call 719-486-0230.
