The Science of Love

Introduction

People always talk about love, as though it is very common in life to experience such a feeling. Everyone talks about how love is needed to create everything and how important it is. Love seems like just a meaningless word to me. After all, what exactly is love? Love seems to be so overrated, and in this article I will be explaining the scientific implications of love.

How do you feel emotions?

A common misconception is that love comes from your heart, but actually, the heart is just an organ that controls the amount of blood that is passed through your body. The heart may be impacted due to such a thing called love, such as causing a faster heart rate, but the heart does not have the ability to create a feeling. So where exactly does this emotion come from? Believe it or not, it comes from a part of our brain, called the limbic system. Basically, this part of the brain processes situations (also known as stimulus), and decides to send a signal to our body to deal with the situation. For example, let’s assume that you are facing a thief that broke into your house. Your body interprets this information and sends a signal to your brain, which interprets this situation and sends a signal (also known as hormones) to your body to prepare your body for a response, either to go against the thief, or to run away. This is known as the “fight or flight” response. If you are mentally prepared to fight off the thief, we could perhaps name this emotion as anger. On the other hand, if you were thinking of running away, the emotion would be named fear. The key idea to take away is that your brain reacts in a different way to express all emotions.

Love and Happiness

Love is similar to happiness, in the sense that they send similar hormones (namely dopamine and oxytocin). These hormones are designed to cause your body to feel pleasure and make you feel rewarded for doing something good. That is literally the meaning of happy: Cambridge defines happy as “feeling satisfaction”. It is a feeling that you get after you have passed a difficult exam or after you have won a competition or after you have successfully played a difficult piano piece. So then, what makes love different from happiness? Love is also full of pleasure and joy, but it is related to relationships. Such as caring for your friends, your family, your future wife or husband. It is more about trying to make other people that you love happy, not just for yourself.

What does love bring to society?

Love is essential to allow humans to build trust, empathy and, most importantly, strong relationships and bonds with other people. Think about your friend. If they were to fail in their future career, you should be willing to help them (if you are truly their friend). Your friend will also be the same, willing to support you if needed. This way, you both love each other (by the scientific definition of love), and will build a strong bond.

Conclusion

Love is an emotion created by the brain that allows people to build strong relationships. In my opinion, one could define love scientifically as caring for others and supporting others. This kind of love is needed to build the best society. As Mother Teresa said, you should “[s]pread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” This is one of the most important things about life: to care for others, to support others, even if that might mean to sacrifice your own happiness.

Sources:

https://www.noldus.com/blog/science-of-emotions

https://www.healthline.com/health/happy-hormone

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/happy

https://www.thefire.org/news/trumps-threat-deport-anti-israel-protesters-attack-free-speech

https://www.lovebutton.org/30-inspirational-love-quotes/

Preparing for Upcoming Exams

Examination periods can often feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, you can alleviate stress and position yourself for success. Here are some strategies to guide you through the different stages of the exam process: preparation, exam days, and post-exam reflection.

Preparation Stage:

Effective preparation is paramount for achieving your goals. Start by creating a realistic revision schedule that outlines which subjects you will focus on each day and for how long. Don’t forget to incorporate breaks into your plan; they are essential for maintaining mental vitality. Mixing subjects can also help keep things interesting and prevent distractions.

Discovering a revision style that resonates with you can make a significant difference. Consider studying with a friend or listening to calming music in the background. Personalizing your notes can invigorate your study sessions; instead of relying on plain black text, try color-coding your materials, adding stickers, or including visual aids and diagrams to enhance engagement. 

Practicing with past exam papers can be incredibly beneficial. This allows you to familiarize yourself with the format and types of questions you may encounter, while also helping you get comfortable working under time constraints. Balancing study with leisure is crucial. After a productive study session, reward yourself with enjoyable activities like watching a favorite series, spending time with loved ones, or simply taking a refreshing nap. Staying physically active is equally important; for example, going for a short walk to clear your mind and recharge. Lastly, never hesitate to seek assistance if you’re feeling overwhelmed or uncertain about specific topics. Reach out to friends, family, or teachers who can provide the support and guidance you need. With these strategies, you'll be better equipped to tackle your upcoming exams confidently! 

Exam Day: 

It’s finally the day of your exam, the moment you’ve been preparing for. To ensure you're ready, stick to your normal routine: get a good night's sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive early to avoid any additional stress. Don’t forget to prepare your bag the night before—include your clear pencil case, calculator, snacks, and a water bottle.To help reduce anxiety, consider doing some breathing exercises. Inhale through your nose for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 2 seconds, and then exhale slowly for 7 counts. This simple technique can help you feel calmer. 

You might also engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation, such as listening to music, reading, or chatting with friends. Once you enter the exam room and receive your paper, take a moment to read the instructions and questions carefully. Pay attention to any additional guidelines from your teacher, so you know exactly what is expected of you. If you are uncertain about anything, don’t hesitate to ask your teacher for clarification. Next, allocate a few minutes for planning time for each question. Identify those that carry more points and prioritize them. If you find yourself stuck on a particular question, don’t panic. Simply mark it and revisit it later, as you may find the answer comes to you with fresh eyes. Remember, you've got this! 

Post Exam: 

Congratulations on finishing your exam! Now it's time to shift your focus and unwind. Avoid the temptation to compare your answers with friends, as this can lead to unnecessary stress. Instead, consider engaging in enjoyable activities that help you relax. You might hang out with friends, treat yourself to a snack, take a nap, or scroll through your phone. Choose something that brings you joy and keeps your mind off the exam. Enjoy your well-deserved break!

I hope this article will serve as a valuable resource for you at every stage of your exam preparations. My goal is to help you feel more prepared and less stressed, especially considering the long journey of exams ahead.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope this will be useful for the future!

Source: 

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/children-and-young-adults/help-for-teenagers-young-adults-and-students/tips-on-preparing-for-exams/