Women's Friendships and Our Ability to Handle Stress
08/Jun/09 15:01 Filed in: Life Balance
A recent UCLA study on friendship among women has
concluded that men and women deal with stress
differently. Hmmm, observe my household any day and
you could have figured that out! But seriously, the
UCLA study has determined that gender differences in
body chemistry causes different reactions to stress.
We've all heard that stress and anxiety cause a
"fight or flight" response in humans, right? In fact,
women have a much wider response to stress, including
a "tend and befriend" tendency that inspires us to
gather our children and friends around us in the face
of adversity. The article proceeds with interesting
scientific explanations, as well as correlations
between health and the number of close friends women
have.
The "takeaway" for me was:
- When faced with a stressful situation (loss of a job, financial difficulties, challenges in our relationships, etc.), women in particular should beware closing themselves off from others. In fact, finding friends to confide in can ease our stress and help us to cope.
If we take this a step further, perhaps women should add a tool to their toolbox - support circles, advisory groups, and other reasons to gather together and share. For example, what if a woman looking to shift her career in a given direction created a group of friends who had already preceded her or were in the process of making a similar change, mentors, and others who could support and encourage her in that endeavor?
Women also forget to take care of themselves, especially when things get crazy. Remember that our friendships nurture us, sustain us, provide laughter and perspective. If you need to let go of something in your life, don't let go of your meaningful relationships with other women. They might just save your sanity, and your health!
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Gale Berkowitz "UCLA Study on Friendship Among Women"
Taylor, S. E.; Klein, L.C.; Lewis, B. P.; Gruenewald, T. L.; Gurung, R. A. R.; & Updegraff, J. A. (2000). Female Responses to Stress: Tend and Befriend, Not Fight or Flight", Psychological Review 107(3), 41-429.
The "takeaway" for me was:
- When faced with a stressful situation (loss of a job, financial difficulties, challenges in our relationships, etc.), women in particular should beware closing themselves off from others. In fact, finding friends to confide in can ease our stress and help us to cope.
If we take this a step further, perhaps women should add a tool to their toolbox - support circles, advisory groups, and other reasons to gather together and share. For example, what if a woman looking to shift her career in a given direction created a group of friends who had already preceded her or were in the process of making a similar change, mentors, and others who could support and encourage her in that endeavor?
Women also forget to take care of themselves, especially when things get crazy. Remember that our friendships nurture us, sustain us, provide laughter and perspective. If you need to let go of something in your life, don't let go of your meaningful relationships with other women. They might just save your sanity, and your health!
--------
Gale Berkowitz "UCLA Study on Friendship Among Women"
Taylor, S. E.; Klein, L.C.; Lewis, B. P.; Gruenewald, T. L.; Gurung, R. A. R.; & Updegraff, J. A. (2000). Female Responses to Stress: Tend and Befriend, Not Fight or Flight", Psychological Review 107(3), 41-429.