We all know the benefits of taking a vacation, it’s so good to break from the normal routine and enjoy a change of scenery.
It has to be good for your mental health to unwind from day to day stresses and relax. Well now a study says what’s even better for your mental health is a trip with your girlfriends.
It’s easy to think you’re too busy to make time for friends, especially those of us who have kids. After a long day with little people and lots of noise, most of us just want a some quiet time with our own thoughts.
But according to psychologist William Chopik, from Michigan State University, keeping a few really good friends can “make a world of difference to our health and well-being.”
Good old fashioned conversation
He advises to invest in friendships that make us the happiest, according to Life Shared.
For those people who change locations frequently forming lasting friendships isn’t always easy, especially in today’s fast-paced world where face to face communication is becoming increasingly rare.
But, an article in the New York Times insists good old fashioned conversation as a way of meeting people, especially for those of us who move around a lot.
Researchers also discovered that hanging out with friends can increase production of oxytocin, that wonderful hormone our bodies make when we’re happy.
In contrast the stats are grim for those of us who don’t have strong friendships.
Smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day
A study carried out by Harvard University found people who don’t have strong friendships tend to be more depressed, have later-life cognitive decline, and, frighteningly enough, were more likely to die at a younger age.
Looking at data from more than 309,000 people, those with a lack of strong relationships increased their risk of premature death by 50 percent – the equivalent of smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.
If that isn’t a good enough reason to spend time with your girl friends I don’t know what is.
Please share this article with all your friends to encourage everyone to organize that head healthy trip away. There’s no time like the present!
