Love and Survival: The Scientific Basis for the Healing Power of Intimacy

by M.D. Ornish Dean

Many people know Dean Ornish as the doctor who proved that symptoms of heart disease can be reversed with a regimen of a low-fat diet, exercise, and stress reduction. In Love & Survival, he concentrates on the less tangible aspects of a healthful life. Through anecdotes and dozens of scientific studies, Ornish demonstrates that personal intimacy and other aspects of emotional well-being--all the elements that make up what we call "love"--are as important to our physical condition as to our mental health. Not only do these positive emotions motivate us to make better lifestyle choices, Ornish argues, they also have a powerful direct effect on our bodies, giving us stronger immune systems, better cardiovascular functioning, and longer life expectancies. But the benefits of opening our hearts to others go beyond curing our bodies of disease; it's also the first step toward healing our entire lives.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Love, Health, Relationships, Science, Lifestyle

284 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Licia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am reading the 1998 version of this now. After studying the latest in interpersonal neurobiology this comes as no surprise. But I think it is a great beginner book to affect a paradigm shift with valid points on how our medical system operates and I mean operates. The system works to allow complicated surgeries and mecdications with devestating side-effects as remedy to pain and suffering when it is proven that relationships,love and caring improve our hearts and our lives. Give me a hug, anyday!

[maria ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the information great book but I felt like I was reading the same information in different ways kinda got bored towards the end.

[Amiel Loiseau]

I loved this book. The intimacy between two human beings has the power to heal. By the same token, if a person has no real connection to another caring person, sickness and death are much closer. Trying to quantify the health benefit of having close, loving relationships is a tough task. This book did it. This book shows to me, without a doubt, that having a person who really loves you, and who shows it, is the best medicine, and laughter is a distant second.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has sadly sat on my shelf for over 15 years. I finally picked it up and boy am I ever glad I did. The author provides an easy to read book about the importance of love and especially intimacy on the power of healing. It is more than just feeling loved that contributes to healing, it is about having intimate connections that allow you to be your true self. He touches on many different connections - marriage, religion, counseling, and self. Great read!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm giving this book five stars because of how important I think the message is. Devaluing love and relationships within a culture has disastrous consequences for both our emotional and physical health.

[Susan Basanjav]

interesting topic..i love Dr. Ornish work so i think it will definitely beneficial.

[Teri Temme · Rating 4 out of 5]

People need people.

[Mark Valentine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved surviving Ornish's book. It's a pastiche of love literature but love--think about it--is also a reworking of sorts. At best, love is a re-wiring.

Specifically, Ornish's second chapter was an overwhelming summary collection of peer-reviewed studies of the benefits of love and intimacy in maintaining healthy living. And his final chapter was also an overwhelming chapter of some such stuff (I skimmed it so well, I don't remember here what to write). But his other chapters have the pith.

I think reciprocated love the greatest wealth of the world. The times in my life that my love was reciprocated made me feel complete and whole.

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought it went a little too hard to hammer the main point about the connection between love and intimacy with health and well being. Echoed what I've read of Brene Brown regarding vulnerability and ones ability to achieve intimacy. The biggest takeaways were one the breakdown of communicating around feelings which is huge because it is an area I struggle. In addition defining purpose as growing in wisdom and learning how to love better.

[mortza · Rating 4 out of 5]

کتابی شایسته برای دریافتن اهمیت مهرورزی و ارتباط اصیل انسان، که از جنبه ی علمی و تحقیقاتی تجربی مورد بررسی قرار گرفته و تاثیر آن بر سلامت انسان به نمایش گذاشته شده.
برای کسانی که طرفدار تنهایی ،انزوا ، تفرد و دوری از مردم هستند و همچنین کار های علمی و آزمایشات تجربی در کنار صرفا فلسفی و روانشناسی در این زمینه برایشان اهمیت دارد، کتابی مفید و تفکر برانگیز و چالش زا خواهد بود.

[Vineeta · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book linking intimacy, all kind of relationships and our survival in this world. Provides a different perspective how it is beneficial to us practically. It has enough examples from different studies. A good guide where we can think about ourselves and relate to it.

[Taniusha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I understand the prayer related stuff from a scientific perspective, but at times the religion was too persistent in the book.
I took some good points from the book though!

[Munirah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having the science and life experience to then prove that love and Survival go hand in hand. Many things I realized and learned by reading this book. Awesome and would recommend to others.

[Anita Erskine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got about halfway through the book, but just had to quit. I felt the message was repeated over and over without any new information upcomming.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all know that intimacy improves the quality of our lives. Yet most people don't realize how much it can increase the quality of our lives -- our survival.

This book helped me to understand my relationship with myself and with God.

I think if more for understanding all kinds of relationship that we have.

[Carolyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Feels outdated.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the emphasis on research in the second section, but it the style didn't work for me.

[Nancy Mramor-Kajuth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dean Ornish explains how it isn't just what we eat and how much we exercise, but who we love and how. And this is from a heart doctor whose first books were about nutrition! Very good.