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‘Make more women friends’

New Delhi: A woman without confidants and friends from the same sex risk early death and are often found to take longer periods to recover from bereavement and other trauma compared to those who have a bigger group of friends.

A study from the University of California says female bonding activities serve as very important stress management strategies; and they have qualifiable health benefits.

The study indicates women who turn to other women for friendship lower the risk of early death, they also heal faster in times of bereavement or other trauma. Woman-to-woman friendship bonding or ‘hanging out with friends’ serve the purpose of filling the emotional gaps. Besides, says the study published in ‘Psychological Review’ when women are under stress, the hormone oxytocin is released as part of the response to stress. This encourages them to seek the company of other women, and when they are engaged, more oxytocin is released, which counters stress and has a calming effect, it says.

“Women are more loyal and appreciative in their relationship so they possess a tendency to be bonded with each other,” says Dr Aruna Broota, a well known psychiatrist and professor, University of Delhi. She says the relationship between women will be more deep and intense than that of between women and men because they are always ready to understand and value each other.

A housewife Pushpa Vikram says, “My husband and daughter leave for office and school respectively and for the whole day I am literally alone, but I overcome my loneliness by talking with my friends, who are also housewives like me.” Experts opine bonding between women takes place even if they are strangers. Dr Broota says since such relationship do not have any expectation or competition, it will be easier for them to be in it. -- PTI

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