May always seems to arrive with a softness in the air. Maybe it’s the bloom of spring hitting its stride. Maybe it’s the subtle shift in sunlight that makes the world feel new again. Or maybe, it’s something deeper—something about connection, about renewal, about the heart.

Although May 1st has just passed, its energy still lingers. And this week, we’re taking a moment to slow down and tune into something we all long for—something we all need: love.

Whether it’s romantic love, the comfort of a close friendship, the steady care of family, or the joy of being truly seen by someone else, love isn’t just an emotional experience. It’s a full-body, full-brain phenomenon. And it changes us in ways we don’t always realize.

Love Literally Changes Your Brain

When we connect deeply with another person, our brain responds in fascinating and beautiful ways.

Love activates the brain’s reward system—releasing chemicals like dopamine (which fuels pleasure and motivation), oxytocin (the “bonding hormone”), and serotonin (which supports mood and well-being). It’s a natural high—one that nurtures closeness, resilience, and healing.

Over time, emotionally safe relationships can buffer against anxiety and depression, reduce stress, and even support healthier brain function. In short? Love is good for us.

And not just romantic love—all kinds of love. Feeling connected to a community, a purpose, or even a pet can spark similar neurological benefits.

What Happens in the Body

Love impacts the body just as powerfully.

Supportive relationships are associated with lower blood pressure, stronger immune function, and reduced levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. When we feel safe and loved, our bodies literally shift into a state of rest and repair—we sleep better, heal better, and function more smoothly.

Even simple touch—a hug, a hand held, a gentle pat on the back—can calm the nervous system and release oxytocin. (Fun fact: a 20-second hug can actually slow your heart rate and boost feelings of connection. Seriously.)

Love Doesn’t Have to Be Big to Be Real

We often imagine love as something grand and cinematic—like the sweeping airport scenes in Love Actually or the quiet intensity of “It’s not your fault” in Good Will Hunting.

But love lives just as much in the quiet, everyday moments. It’s in the blanket someone tucks over you when you’ve fallen asleep. It’s in the pause when someone really listens. It’s in the silence that feels safe, not empty.

Think of Before Sunrise—two people walking, talking, letting their thoughts breathe. Nothing flashy. Just presence. That’s love too.

These small, steady moments rarely make it into movie trailers, but they’re the heartbeat of real relationships.

A Moment for May

So wherever you are, even a day or two after May 1st, let this be a reminder: love is still in the air.

Think of someone who helps you feel calm. Safe. Seen. Supported.

Maybe it’s a partner. A friend. A parent. A pet. Maybe it’s you.

In the Czech Republic, May 1st is traditionally celebrated with a kiss beneath a blooming cherry tree—a gesture meant to invite love, beauty, and vitality for the year ahead. It’s soft. It’s poetic. And even if you missed the moment on the exact day, its meaning still stands.

And if you spent May 1st solo? That cherry tree is still for you. Stand beneath it. Look up. Breathe in. Let it remind you that love can be quiet. Love can be slow. Love can live in your care for yourself, in your willingness to pause, in your openness to the world around you.

Let it settle into your bones. Let it remind you: you are human. And being human means you are wired to love—and to be loved.

Here’s to a month filled with quiet love and gentle renewal. 🌸🧠💛