Good news mums. Science has confirmed that girl-time is critical for your health and happiness. So, go ahead and book a night out.
Seeing your friends twice a week is a key finding in a recent study aiming to identify the necessary steps that women need to take to achieve happiness in all aspects of their lives.
In case you needed an excuse to get out of the house with your pals, here’s the research.
Get together… and do things
Robin Dunbar, the researcher behind the study, was interviewed by The Vancouver Sun where she reported that women’s overall health and wellbeing is improved when they get together with four best friends twice a week in meetings where they “do things”.
Now, if you’re not into running or book club, don’t panic. The list of do things is not exactly what you’re expecting. The good news is this magical list includes drinking, gossiping, and talking about your rivals. Doing these “things” make women socialise, drink and laugh together.
You know that feeling after a great night of giggling and chat with your besties? Turns out it’s not just the champagne-buzz after all. Hello, good-endorphins and your many health-improving benefits.
Happy wife, longer life
The study has also linked quality girl time with multiple health benefits.
Hanging with your crew can aid you in:
- faster recovery time from illness
- a stronger immune system
- a decrease in anxiety levels, and
- increased generosity levels making you feel better overall.
A second study by the University of Oxford is entitled ‘Friends are Better than Morphine‘ and links a larger number of friends with a higher pain threshold. It even goes as far to suggest that having more friends will help you live longer!
Four is the magic number
If you’re not rolling with a huge crew don’t worry, the results are in your favour. The research suggests that just four friends is the optimum number for a get-together that’s most beneficial for your physical and mental health.
To get the best value out of your night out, the endorphins linked to laughter are key. The study suggests that laughter is the most feasible and probable in small groups. When the crowd is bigger than 5 people, funny situations that generate the most endorphins are less probable.
The key take out?
Grab your very own Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha, they’re your prime peeps for mental and physical health.
Sell it with sex (it’s a win for everyone!)
If you’re not sure that your partner is going to be on-board with two nights out a week, dare we whisper it?
Sell him with sex. 😉
Science confirms happy wives lead to happy husbands – if you get our drift.
If improved happiness, healthiness and a longer life span aren’t enough to convince him to step up and Dad-it-alone for a few hours, here’s the evidence you need:
A study from The University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research has suggested the couples that have more alone time also have a better sex life.
If he needs any more convincing remind him how loved up you’ll feel after a few hours of laughing and three mojitos. Surely he’s going to jump at that!
Not just nights out
Depending on your stage of parent and life demands nights out might not be what you need right now. If you’re in the just-let-me-sleep stage of motherhood, day activities with your friends are just as valuable. Whether it’s a coffee shop stop with your mother’s group or just hitting the park with your local ladies and their kids, the together time is what counts.
Let go of mummy guilt and do it for yourself NOW
Mummy guilt is real. But being the best version of yourself for your kids and partner is far more important. Grab your three besties and book night out now. After all, who are you to argue with science?
All images via HBO.
