Women Need and Want Healthy Connections
At Amazing over 40, one of our main goals is to connect you with other like-minded women – women who can relate to the real -life experiences that you are feeling and dealing with each and every day. A community of understanding, acceptance and coherence towards a common goal – to live the best life at 40, 50, 60 and beyond!
As I always say, “You are NOT alone!” We are all in this together – and with each other as a support system, we can accomplish amazing things we never thought imaginable.
Why do women need other women?
In a landmark study done by Laura Cousin Klein, Ph.D and Shelley Taylor, Ph.D at UCLA, the power of friendships between women, especially under stress, was illuminated. They found that under stress, women release more oxytocin, also known as the bonding hormone. This hormone released by the pituitary gland in our brains, causes women to seek help in the form of bonding with other women allowing them to calm down from the stressful situation. Women sought solace in caring for their children and turning to other women for support in these critical times. The researchers coined this phenomenon, “tend and befriend”. As women, we find comfort in talking, meeting and being with other women and increasing our communal levels of oxytocin.
But how do I find the time?
As we get older there seem to be more and more demands on our time – aging parents, high school children applying for college or work/relationship responsibilities. NOW is the time to care for yourself and start connecting with your dear friends. Friends who have been isolated, lonely and possibly depressed over the past 18 months who are reaching out to be listened to and cared for. NOW is the time to MAKE TIME to spend enjoying your friends, sharing a glass of wine, a cup of coffee, or morning walk around the block. As Nike says, just DO IT!
Here are 5 Awesome Ideas for a Girls’ Night Out
#1: Take a Class Together
Whether it is cooking, candle making, painting or brewing, classes with friends are an amazing way to bond, release stress, have fun and decompress.
#2: Go See a Band
Studies have shown live music decreases the release of stress hormones and increases the sense of a community connection.
#3: Have a Movie Night
Whether you head out for movie night or invite the gals to watch your favorite Netflix series, emotions will arise and you can share them together.
#4: Wine Tasting
Wine tasting with the girls is a great way to quietly decompress, laugh, tell stories and reminisce. If a local vineyard exists, take a limo tour, dine, and enjoy the time with your friends or, invite your friends to an in-home wine tasting with an experienced sommelier. Don’t want to go through the hassle of either, make it fun by putting a $10 limit on purchases and see which girl finds the best wine for the best price.
#5: Revisit Your Inner-child with a Sleep Over…at a Resort
Get away from the husband and kids for a night, invite the girls for a night at a resort, get into your pajamas and regress to your inner-child. Order room service or dine at the resort restaurant, and share what is really happening in your life. Be sure to invite those whom you trust and feel comfortable releasing your vulnerability and child-like innocence.
As a final note, according to the Nurses’ Health Study from Harvard Medical School, “the more friends women have, the less likely they are to develop physical impairments as they age and not having confidants is as detrimental to women’s health as being overweight or smoking cigarettes.”
Need I say more?? Please add some of your tips for a girls’ night out!
And, SHARE this blog post with your friends! They’ll appreciate it!
In health and happiness,
Dr. Diana
Sooo true. Thank you so much for all of your studying for all of us!!!
Absolutely agree…For myself, at least, I have found more than once in my life that my worst decisions have been made in a “vacuum”,,, without input from a friend/friends. Love seeing your words from the studies. Thanks so much!!!