Good friends may be hard to find, but when you connect with someone special, they’re worth hanging onto and great for your wellbeing,
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.
Denne historien er fra December 2017-utgaven av The Australian Women's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra December 2017-utgaven av The Australian Women's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Hitting a nerve
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Take me to the river
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The last act
When family patriarch Tom Edwards passes away, his children must come together to build his coffin in four days, otherwise they will lose their inheritance. Can they put their sibling rivalry aside?
MEET RUSSIA'S BRAVEST WOMEN
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The wines and lines mums
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Jenny Liddle-Bob.Lucy McDonald.Sasha Green - Why don't you know their names?
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Growing happiness
Through drought flood and heartbreak, Jenny Jennr's sunflowers bloom with hope, sunshine and joy
"Thank God we make each other laugh"
A shared sense of humour has seen Aussie comedy couple Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall conquer the world. But what does life look like when the cameras go down:
Winter baking with apples and pears
Celebrate the season of Australian apples and pears with these sweet bakes that will keep the midwinter blues away.
Budget dinner winners
Looking for some thrifty inspiration for weeknight dinners? Try our tasty line-up of low-cost recipes that are bound to please everyone at the table.
