Written By: Shaloo Tiwari | Published : November 30, 2017 1:45 PM IST
Some women say they get along better with male friends than the female ones and the rest say otherwise. However, as a woman, I believe that even though male friends are great, having women friends around makes life better. Especially in your mid-twenties, you'll realise that a strong connection with your girls makes your life way easier and healthier too. We know the various health benefits of having friends. Here are few reasons that women need more women friends:
1. Reduced stress: A female friend is like your sister and therefore you can talk to her anything you wish. Not that talking to her alone will lead to reduced stress buy having similar anatomy, she'll understand women-centric causes of stress better than a man any day. And a stressfree you is a healthy you.
2. Reduced anxiety: You don't feel the awkwardness of any kind with friends of your own gender. This helps reduce the feeling of anxiety. While I believe male friends are helpful too in this case but with a woman being beside you as your confidant, you are able to be more expressive and hence have reduced anxious behaviour. According to a study women with high social anxiety were more willing to discuss better with their female friends.
3. You can share intimate health problems: It is easier for women to talk to their female friends about intimate health problems, queries and confusion, especially regarding pregnancy. Taking to your female friends about your health problems makes the clinical diagnosis and treatment sooner too.
4. Reduced low self-esteem: Female friends are able to spot mental health problems in other women more easily than a man since they share the same gender and somewhat similar issues. Hence it is easy for your female friends to spot if you are suffering from a low self-esteem which according to studies is more common in women or any other mental health issues for that matter.
5. Improved problem-solving capabilities: Since talking to a woman friend is easier for most women. This communication flow makes it easier to find ways to solve problems and hence induce a feeling of happiness. This impacts your overall well being better.
Nothing can replace a good female friend, girls, what say? Tell us what you think in the comment section below.
References:
Snell Jr, W. E. (1989). Willingness to self-disclose to female and male friends as a function of social anxiety and gender. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 15(1), 113-125.
Riegle-Crumb, C., Farkas, G., & Muller, C. (2006). The Role of Gender and Friendship in Advanced Course Taking. Sociology of Education, 79(3), 206 228. http://doi.org/10.1177/003804070607900302
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