The Power Of Female Friendships

Good friends may be hard to find, but when you connect with someone special, they’re worth hanging onto and great for your wellbeing,

- Melissa Field

Ever grabbed a glass of wine with your best friend when you’ve had a shocking day in the office or a shouting match with your stroppy teenager? That’s known as the “tend and befriend” response to stress which, unlike the male “fight or flight” response, is due to the hormone oxytocin being released.

UCLA’s Behavioural Responses in Females study found that women’s hormonal response to stress differed from men. In women, the release of oxytocin encourages them to tend to children and gather with other women for support and protection. As a result of this nurturing/cocooning response, more oxytocin is released, which further counters the effects of stress. The evidence seems to point to the fact that strong friendships – particularly with other women – not only make us happier, they make us healthier too. The less stress, the less likelihood there is of complications from raised blood pressure, high cholesterol and increased heart rate. More broadly, the landmark Nurses’ Health Study from Harvard Medical School found the more friends women have, the less likely they are to develop physical impairments while ageing and are more likely to lead a “joyful” life.