A 34-year-old man was injured in a car accident and spent three full weeks in a coma. His wife watched over him every inch of the way, and contrary to the doctors’ predictions – he recovered! His wife said, “I kept talking to him, telling him how much I and the whole family loved him and needed him. I think that gave him the strength to live.”
The effect that love has on patients has baffled scientists. Mr. Marsden of the World Health Organization said, “For years, modern medicine has forgotten that love is an important factor in healing. Now all are interested in rediscovering it.” The University of London did a survey in which they divided women working in an office into two groups, one group suffering from certain obstacles and troubles in their relationships; the other group was emotionally happy. The first group of women had frequent colds, the second group had very few.
Raymond of the British Medical Association suggests that achieving a long and healthy life should put emotional factors first. Experiments have shown that having close friends and a tender partner is important for maintaining good health.
It’s not enough for a husband or wife to simply love each other; they have to show that love. Often it only takes a small gesture or expression to convey your warmth and care to the other person, which can have immeasurable benefits for both partners.