Friends are good for all kinds of things -- a girls' night
out, late-night chats and shopping trips, to name a few. But did you know
they're also good for your health? A study published in The Journal of
Psychology: Interdisciplinary and Applied showed a strong link between
supportive social networks and healthy behaviours like eating well and
exercising.
Friendships are particularly important to women, says Irene
S. Levine, professor of psychiatry at the New York University School of
Medicine and author of Best Friends Forever: Surviving a Breakup with Your Best
Friend."Female friendships are extremely vital to a woman's well-being,
because women help each other unload emotions, which is a real stress
buster," says Levine.
Whether you're already surrounded by friends or you're
looking to build better relationships, Levine offers these tips for nurturing
your female friendships -- and your health:
1. Make friendship a
priority.
Most women are so busy that it may feel self-indulgent to
spend time on friendships. But it's important to make friends a priority in
your life, says Levine."Know that [friendships] will ultimately make you a
better mother, wife, daughter and person, because friendships make you feel
more fulfilled," she says.
2. Be there.
While technologies like e-mail and Facebook have made keeping
in touch with friends easier, there's just no substitute for face time."Be
there for your friend in the way you would want her to be there for you,"
says Levine. If your friend's nervous about going in for a mammogram, for
instance, offer to go with her. Or if she needs a dress for an important
occasion, take her shopping.
3. Celebrate
together.
Remember the special events in each others' lives, whether
it's a birthday, an important anniversary, a new job or a promotion."It
makes for a more special relationship when you can celebrate each other's
important events and successes," advises Levine.
4. Communicate.
When something's wrong, talk about it. Levine suggests you
open the door for conversation and avoid pretending nothing's wrong. Just like
in a good marriage, friends need to keep the lines of communication open. Let
her know that you're there to talk whenever she needs you.
5. Develop rituals.
Patterns and regularity can help create a rich friendship,
says Levine. Make your relationships stick by developing rituals that create
lasting memories, like a regular girls' night out (or in!), a girlfriends'
getaway, a lunch every Friday or a drink every Thursday night. Put it on your
calendar -- and keep that time sacred.
6. Forgive and
forget.
Every relationship requires give and take. You're two
different people, and your friend may not always think the way you do or say
the right thing. Recognizing that no one is perfect and being willing and able
to apologize when you make a mistake is crucial."Apologise sooner rather
than later so bad feelings don't have a chance to build up," says
Levine."And don't keep score: The best friendships are those where people
truly want to give and take in an unconditional way."
7. What if you have
trouble making friends?
If you're shy or introverted, you might have a hard time
finding good friends. Start by engaging in activities you enjoy, suggests
Levine. Join a gym or a book club, or volunteer for a community service
group."Put yourself in a place where you'll see the same people over and
over," says Levine."Show openness with simple things like smiling and
showing interest in the other person. Just don't be too aggressive or reveal or
ask for too much information too soon: Relationships need time to grow."
Dana Rousmaniere for Beauty & Confidence