Women have now found the perfect excuse to go out with the “girls” twice a week. According to science, Women Should Go Out With Girlfriends Twice A Week To Be Healthier.
Women Should Go Out With Girlfriends Often
Female friendships among women are extremely important and the key ingredient to our happiness and health. Girlfriends are really the best emotional support system we could ever have. Just think about it. A good female friendship is someone you can count on for advice, or simply be heard and understood when you have a problem.
If you enjoy going out with your girlfriends, you should do it more often! Actually women should go out with girlfriends twice a week and this will definitely make you happier and healthier!
About the research:
Robin Dunbar is a renowned psychologist and an advanced investigator. His research is concerned with trying to understand the behavioral, cognitive and neuroendocrinological mechanisms that underpin social bonding in primates (in general) and humans (in particular).
It all started with a social experiment, which was commissioned by beer company Guinness, Dunbar and British social commentator Danny Wallace . The survey involved a small group of male friends, and the results revealed that hanging out with friends twice a week had a positive impact on their overall health.
Health benefits also included faster recovery time from illness, a stronger immune system, a decrease in anxiety levels, and increased generosity levels which makes us feel better overall.
“The figure of twice a week comes from findings that this is the amount of time that you typically spend with your closest friends/family,” Dr. Robin Dunbar told The Huffington Post. “For both sexes (no surprise) having a large, well-integrated social network has a significant impact on both physical and emotional health. People with larger and/or more integrated networks suffer less illness, recover quicker from surgery, are less likely to die — and even their children are less likely to die.”
Is there a science behind female friendships?
Even though the initial experiment was done with men, let’s now explain how this applies to both sexes and why it is especially important for women to go out with friends twice a week for good health. Increasingly, researchers think that the hormone oxytocin is, for women especially, the elixir of friendship — and, by extension, of health.
“Research shows that women, [possibly] more than men, need to maintain friendship connections. It increases serotonin and oxytocin, the bonding hormone,” says Alisa Ruby Bash, PsyD, LMFT. Studies at Stanford seem to confirm this, as did a UCLA study showing that in times of stress, women don’t just experience the drive toward fight or flight — they also release oxytocin. This hormonal surge can compel women to “tend and befriend,” a.k.a., to protect their kids (if they have them), but also to connect with other women.
“We call it a ‘social thermostat’ that keeps track of how well [females’] social supports are going,” Taylor says. When the thermostat reads too low, females tend to reach out to others. When they reach out to others, oxytocin levels rise again and with that prolonged exposure comes a distinctive “calming, warm” effect, says Taylor. “We don’t see the same mechanisms in men,” she adds.
Women reap health benefits from friendships, and maintaining those female bonds becomes even more important as we grow older, according to Dr. Bash. “We get busier, with more responsibilities,” she says. “It makes us feel nurtured and validated to hang out with friends we can be totally ourselves [with], minus the outside pressures.” (SOURCE).
“We have to make those friendships a top priority,” Dr. Bash says. “Schedule girls’ nights and lunches with friends! Do it ahead of time.” Female bonds can solidify your happiness and make you healthier.
Laughter is the best medicine
Being happy doesn’t just make you feel better, it’s also incredibly beneficial for your health. Laughter is strong medicine. It draws people together in ways that trigger healthy physical and emotional changes in the body. Laughter strengthens your immune system, boosts mood, diminishes pain, and protects you from the damaging effects of stress (SOURCE).
Women interact best by making funny comments, joking, and talking about things that make them laugh, but the size of the group is also a big factor. Laughter in small groups is feasible. But when the group is bigger than 5 people, funny situations that generate the necessary endorphins for happiness and wellbeing are less probable. For this reason, it is recommended that women should go out in a group of maximum four friends. The “Sex and the City’s” quartet of friends, is the perfect example.
More health benefits if you also travel with your girlfriends
Check out my post: Traveling With Girlfriends Can Make You Healthier. Yes! we should also take a vacation with our girlfriends! You will be pleasantly surprised to find plenty of other studies on this subject. It is always nice to know our feelings and wellbeing are backed by science. You now have a legitimate scientific reason to book that trip!
Women Should Go Out With Girlfriends To Be Healthier!
Women have very stressful lives, and feel sometimes guilty about leaving the family at home. Most of the time I do, but deep inside I know it shouldn’t be that way. Reality is, we should have some time for ourselves. It is not only about going out and having a few drinks. It is more about getting away from the daily routine, relaxing, and meeting close friends face to face. I think we all need a little bit of that every week to feel better.
A meeting with close friends is always regenerating. Just think about it for a minute. When was the last time you went out with your best friend? How did you feel the following day? In my case I always feel amazing! The truth is that if we feel happier we could be better moms, better wives, better people overall. I believe that when we enrich our lives we improve our health. We definitely should go out with our girlfriends more often and make it a habit.
“I love my husband, but it is nothing like a conversation with a woman that understands you. I grow so much from those conversations.” – Beyonce
What if you just can’t go out as often as recommended (or at all)?
While the study focused on actually going out with girlfriends, I know that for a lot of moms, that’s just not possible. Some are doing it all on their own either as single moms or because their partners travel a lot for work, and they may not always have the option of getting a babysitter. Other moms may just not be ready to leave their babies for many reasons (breastfeeding, health problems, or even just because they simply don’t feel comfortable doing it).
If you simply can’t keep up with twice-a-week dates with your friends, don’t worry, there are other ways to reap the benefits. A girls’ night in is a great alternative that will still get you bonding and laughing with your friends. Plan it for after the kids go to bed so you can really focus on each other. Play some hilarious board games, serve tasty cocktails (as long as everyone has a designated driver, of course), turn it into a relaxing spa night, or just sit around chatting and gossiping.
Need some ideas to keep the night going and avoid those dreaded lags in conversation? Check out a few fantastic girls’ night in essentials below, including a couple of crazy-fun adults-only games, healthy cocktail mixers with natural sweeteners, fun spa night essentials & more.
What about you? Do you believe women should go out with girlfriends to be healthier? How often do you actually go out with your girlfriends?
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- Husbands Stress Out Women More Than Children.
- Science Confirms Children Inherit Their Intelligence From Their Mothers.
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- How To Kick Colds Fast With A Detox Bath For Kids.
- People always running late are happier and healthier.
Last update on 2022-11-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Russel Beckett says
This is weird. The study published by The Vancouver Sun talks about boys, not girls.
http://www.vancouversun.com/health/men/Boys+night+twice+week+keeps+guys+healthy+study+says/9092620/story.html
Creative Healthy Family says
There was a study for men as well. Works both ways I guess 🙂
Mindy Lockard says
Can you send me a link to the study? I have a girls leadership academy and would love to use this study.
Creative Healthy Family says
Hi, you can find the links in the post and comments. Hope this helps 🙂
Martha says
I rather take a hike thanks.
flo says
Love this post! Great reminder that I need to call up my ladies haha
Creative Healthy Family says
It is really a great reminder to get out of the house more!
Sara says
I can’t even remember the last time I went out with a friend. We’ve moved a lot and have a toddler.
Creative Healthy Family says
I feel like that sometimes so I try and make plans with my friends often 🙂
Jessica DePasquale says
I love this idea! My friends and I just had Galentine’s Day and agreed to do it at least once a month!
Creative Healthy Family says
That’s great!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Love this! Girl time is so important! I love getting together with my friends!
Ellen | Zyrakuma says
I’m probably going to hang out with my best friends when I start university this year. I found out that I’m happier when I hang out with my girl friends and we usually gossip and have fun!
Tessa says
This is a really fascinating study. I know I definitely do not get out to see my friends that often, and with everyone busy with families, jobs, and a lot of responsibilities – the idea of getting 4 of us together seems like a big task. That said, I know the more I see my friends, the happier I am! I will have to share this and try to motivate my friends toward more nights out.
Creative Healthy Family says
Thank you!
Lisa says
Actually just read the article and disagree with one thing…. talking about rivals (gossipping) is not ok and doesnt really make you feel better! It gives a false sense of achievement, status or whatever you want to call it. Feeling good, or better about yourself at the expense or in comparison to others is not ok and SHOULD NOT be a favorite thing to do!!
Creative Healthy Family says
Thank you for your comment and opinion.
Myrna Vazquez says
I agree. I hate gossiping and prefer not to hang with women who like to do it all the time. Surely there is more to talk about in the world.
Art, science, nature, the state of the world…. Your pets! lol
James Aymond says
Thank you for having the guts to stand up for speaking out !
Could not agree with you more !!
Spumoni says
I also, completely agree.
ArinA says
Agree
Lora says
I totally agree! Women need to start building each other up instead of tearing each other down. We do not lift ourselves up by comparing ourselves to others. You be you, I’ll be me. We’re all alright!
Lisa M Gallucci says
It is fine if it is in good fun!! Jeez stop being so darn negative!!
Sam says
DId the study really suggest activities such as drinking beer, gossiping and talking about rivals?? If so that seems pretty generic and sad. I do like beer but I hope we have more to us than that! I think this is the exact culture women should be trying to avoid.
Creative Healthy Family says
Hi Sam, thank you for your comment. I believe what the research was trying to get at is that we need time to relax, laugh, and just get away from our daily routine. I agree with you 🙂
L says
Yeah, just love how women should get together and gossip while men should get together to play team sports (actually healthy) in the study on males someone linked above.
Yelena says
There’s no actual reference to the study in this article. Link please.
Creative Healthy Family says
The study comes courtesy of Robin Dunbar, a psychologist and director of Oxford University’s social and evolutionary neuroscience research group.
Mya says
Were you able to obtain a copy of the actual study report or just a summary by the author? I’d be curious for a citation.
Creative Healthy Family says
I read the summary when I wrote the article. It was published on several online newspapers as well.
Don says
A different and more inclusive approach would’ve been to write about how men and women alike benefit from being with friends, sharing laughter, getting a break from their kids etc, but instead you went down one road which by being silent on men pits one group against the other. Do you believe women deserve it more than men or that they already get enough as is?
Creative Healthy Family says
Thank you for your comment. The study was initially about men and included the benefits as well.
K M says
I searched the researcher’s published articles and I could not find the study you are sharing about. Doesn’t seem to be true.
Creative Healthy Family says
Somebody just posted the link in the comments. Hope this helps 🙂
Karissa says
http://www.vancouversun.com/touch/health/men/boys+night+twice+week+keeps+guys+healthy+study+says/9092620/story.html
This was a study about men not women. Search the oxford website and no such study was done regarding women.
Creative Healthy Family says
Hi Karissa, It is true that initially the study was done for men and then they researched it for women as well. They also talk about other health benefits for both men and women. Thanks for sending the link.
Creative Healthy Family says
Hi Karissa, You can find more information about the studies done for both men and women in this link. Thanks. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/29/social-experiment-friends-health-benefits_n_4171463.html
April Rein says
There is no way a group of women gather just to laugh and relax! Nope! My health has improved without drama mamas ❤️❤️❤️
Ken says
It’s true!!!! Happy wife means happy husband . Trust me on this one guys. When the wife is happy you will have a much better wife and a better sex!!!
Anita says
Yes I feel it’s important for both to enjoy time with people that uplift u can relax and laugh…. With or without wine.. I think the point is giving our selves time to fill our own bucket so to speak. But my own experience only and from possibly my culture men tend to do it more than woman.. It seems more accepted whereas woman tend to harbour more responsibilities with kids etc and with this is guilt of taking time for ourselves so to have time away – surrounded by other like minded woman can be healing and magic.. We can come back more fulfilled and with most of us our natural desire to give to others without resentment due to having no energy left to give.. Time away can make us much more balanced and happier and energised. X
Creative Healthy Family says
Thank you for your comment.
Hannah Rodewald says
Totally agree with all of this. We get so caught up in lives that are overscheduled with obligations and things that we think are important. How many times have I said to a friend “let’s get together” and they want to get out their calendar and pencil something in for a month from now. It’s sad.
We created a Facebook group, Women’s Daily Post, to connect women online and quickly found out that they want to get together offline. Women want connections and new friends who suit where their lives are today. So we added happy hours and it is so much fun to see how much they are enjoying being together. I’m sure the good vibe lasts a couple days.
Go out with your friends and enjoy a good laugh. Make new friends!
Creative Healthy Family says
Thank you for your comment 🙂
Donna lee says
Why not link to the study and the Vancouver Sun interview in your article itself, rather than a linking to the Oxford main page? All I found was the article on men and the Huffington Post one you left on the comments.
Creative Healthy Family says
Thank you for your suggestion. Will look into it.
Amy Woodruff Bernard says
My girl friends and I started going out to breakfast on Sat mornings to laugh and share while the husbands were home still sleeping with the kiddos. Very healthy! We are still meeting up 41 years later! We have served each other as needed and had a healthy, safe place to dump emotional garbage. We call ourselves “The Breakfast Club”. 4 of us is perfect! This is very true, easy therapy!
Helen says
Hi I am trying to find this research article for a project, can you send a reference, or the full name of the study so I can delve a little deeper? Thanks
Creative Healthy Family says
You should be able to find it in the links. Thanks!
Fauzia Ahmed says
I want to meet my frineds but my daily life is so busy . Its been 23 years that i was even alone at home. I loved to read , listen to music but I dont do that anymore. I would sometimea go watch a movie alone. That’s all .
Eliza Haywood says
The article that you mention where Robin Dunbar is interviewed by The Vancouver Sun is about MEN: http://www.vancouversun.com/health/men/Boys+night+twice+week+keeps+guys+healthy+study+says/9092620/story.html
“Boys night twice a week keeps guys healthy, study says”
Creative Healthy Family says
It talks about men and then also about women and how we communicate and behave in a different way.
Annabella says
You are absolutely correct, it was totally about men, & was not geared to men at all!!!!!
Debbie says
According to the study, the list of “things” included: drinking beer, gossiping, and talking about their rivals (preferred topic).Seriously are we talking about women or girls. I agree with getting together to build each other but to gossip hmmn. And what about introverts… 4 best friends twice a week. Sounds like extraverted to me. I’m happy to have 4 best friends that I catch up with every fortnight otherwise with everything else I’d run out of energy.
Nadine Pearson says
Was thinking the same thing Debbie! I abhor gossip. Talking about rivals? *eye roll* This all sounds like shallow abs despicable behaviour.
Take me out to a museum, to see an exhibition, tell me about your life, teach me something new and I might be willing to go out with the girls.
T Nine says
Ienjoyed your post. I am sorry you feel you need an “excuse” to take care of your emotional health. (would have prefered motivation or reason over excuse)
People gathering in small groups for shared companionship is a human need.We are social creatures.
It was great to learn about bonding chemicals in women during times of flight/ fight. Thanks.
Creative Healthy Family says
Thank you for your comment.
Jame's mortensen says
You certain’t got a lot of traffic with this. Not so sure how beneficial it”s been, tho’.
Tabitha says
Despite people requesting it, your article contains no link to any study on the matter at all (because it does not exist), and instead pulls quotes from a 2013 Vancouver Sun article which is entirely about men and male friends, and which literally does not contain the word “women” or “girlfriends”!
That Vancouver Sun article refers to a study entirely of men commissioned by beer brands for market research on “lads’ social circles”. Your spurious take on it simply swaps men for women despite the researcher being “specific with his prescription: Men must physically meet with four friends twice a week to reap the benefits of male friendship.”
Creative Healthy Family says
Hi Tabitha, The study was done on men and women but became popular because an article was written for men. If you look at the research, the researcher looks at both men and women and how they interact differently. I also just wrote a similar article about female relationships and how they are beneficial. In this new article, there are plenty more studies linked for you to look at. https://www.creativehealthyfamily.com/traveling-with-girlfriends/ Hope this helps.
Creative Healthy Family says
Hi Tabitha, I found an article and video about the study. It was in the news last week. Hope this helps 🙂 Here it is: https://dfw.cbslocal.com/2019/02/13/womens-mental-and-physical-health-improves-from-hanging-out-with-friends-researchers-say/
Heather says
I love my girlfriend time! I agree it’s important for social time and bonding with others. I try to go out at least twice a week, if not more often. 🙂 Makes the world of difference to have these relationships in my life.
Mz_Ola says
Sounds like the perfect reason to get out with my friends. This would convince me about how healthy it actually feels
Carolann says
This is so very true! It reminds me how much I miss doing that. I have to make plans for some fun time with my friends!
Vanessa says
If you’re married to your best friend, does that mean you’re really really healthy?! Haha I would love a night or two out with my girlfriends every week.
Carolyn says
You convinced me! Time for a girls night! 🙂
Autumn (Biscotti and a Ph.D.) says
I love that I can now get my girlfriends to hang out together more and use actual studies as proof that it’s good for us! 🙂
Michelle Kellogg says
This is a great reminder that we need to get our more and be with our friends. It’s harder for moms to do that and I know I don’t get out much being a busy single mom but I also do make time for my female friends with gaming once a week. It’s not going out in public but it really does help me to unwind from the week and I have a lot of fun with my friends.
Renee | The Good Hearted Woman says
I am lucky to have a great group of girlfriends. We’ve been friends for over 20 years now, and while we don’t get together nearly often enough, having that strong safety net is everything. None of us have room in our lives for gossip or drama, or some of the other juvenile crap listed here, and I’m dubious of any study that suggests that “gossiping and talking about your rivals” has any place on the road to happiness.
Sarah says
I agree 100%! I feel more refreshed and feel less stressed when I get time to hang out with my girlfriends. Even if its just a mommy playdate with the kids. It’s important to me to have that adult conversation without judgement.
Sam @ The Haunted Housewife says
All my friends are faraway friends! I do think it would be beneficial to just GET OUT a couple times a week. Lol, I haven’t been doing a very good job of that!
María Petit says
Love this, I agree !!!
Lynn says
Makes me wish I had ONE friend I could go out with … ever! I have no friends, and all my sisters live hours away. How does one make friends when disabled, and never leaves the house?
Creative Healthy Family says
I’m sorry. What about online websites where you can find people in your area with similar interests? Community centers are also great because they usually have activities and social events. Hope this helps!
Yural says
I like that, have been thinking towards that lately, I will soon call the fantastic four G’s for a ladies day out.
Micki says
“Women who go out with my girlfriends twice a week are less likely to die. And your children are less likely to die”
Yay! The secret to immortality!
Amelia Burgess, MD, MPH says
This is great except for the emphasis on alcohol. Seriously, you mention drinking as one of the prime activities at least 3 times, and all the SATC photos show the women drinking. All you girlfriends out there, please know that the first metabolite of alcohol, acetaldehyde, is a carcinogen. Alcohol is the second leading cause of death in the United States and worldwide, surpassing HIV, malaria, and TB combined. It surpasses opiates in the US, as well, despite the current emphasis on the opioid epidemic. The only preventable cause of death that supercedes alcohol is tobacco. (Also, possibly sugar/sedentary lifestyle – those data aren’t clear yet.) There is an ENORMOUS amount of marketing and lobbying money in alcohol, and marketing to women has increased dramatically in the past few decades. Following the marketing, we see an increase in all alcohol-related diseases in women, beginning in their 20s. Friendship – YES! Alcohol – not so much.
Dot Riley says
True or not it might help someone male or female .. everyone needs friends and family to enjoy..
Kat says
I just want to know where the lady in red got those amazing pants!! ❤️ them!