It’s time to pack your bags and load up on the champagne, ladies! Science confirms that taking an occasional vacay with your besties is actually good for your health.
According to an article in Southern Living, researchers say friendships can extend our life expectancy, cut down the risk of heart disease and even help us tolerate pain more. They also find that spending time with our girls’ can increase the amount of oxytocin—aka the feel-good hormone—in our bodies.
Study: Taking a girls’ trip is good for your healthhttps://t.co/xi7sU1UKwo pic.twitter.com/NNtrDbyaTO
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“Social connections like these not only give us pleasure, they also influence our long-term health in ways every bit as powerful as adequate sleep, a good diet and not smoking,” Harvard researchers explain.
Some researchers find that people who don’t have close girlfriends are more likely to experience depression, cognitive decline, and have a shorter lifespan. In one study, which looked at the lives of 309,000 people, found that a lack of strong social connections increased the risk of early death by 50 percent.
“Dozens of studies have shown that people who have satisfying relationships with family, friends, and their community are happier, have fewer health problems, and live longer,” the researchers added.
So the next time you’re down, clear your schedule and grab your girls’ for a weekend getaway! It’s healthy for you.