One of the first things that is traded in upon earning a mommy badge is yourself. Your body changes, your priorities shift, and your time management system has an entirely new category that trumps all others. Although a major part of you will be forever changed, and a new identity discovered, you’ll also quickly realize how important it is to hold onto the friendships that mean so much.
HEALTH BENEFITS
Friendships have actually been proven to increase one’s lifespan. In a study that followed 1,500 elderly people for 10 years, it was found that those with a large group of friends were 22% less likely to die during that decade. The reality is that friends are with you for more than just the happy times. True friendship means supporting one another through thick and thin, which includes the rough patches of life as well. That support goes a long way in increasing one’s purpose and sense of belonging.
Other health benefits to having meaningful friendships include
- Higher pain tolerances (due to higher levels of endorphins thanks to social interaction)
- Higher rate of survival when it comes to fighting cancer and responding to chemotherapy
- Lower rate of developing dementia
- Lower rates of coronary artery disease, hypertension, and diabetes
MOM FRIENDS ARE THE BEST OF FRIENDS
Moms get it. They get the sleepless nights. They get the picky eaters. They get the 35 minutes it takes between the request to put shoes on and the shoes actually being put on. They get the whining, the fighting, the sticky chair backs, the spaghetti hair, and the need for tagless shirts. Moms get it. They get it all so well that mom friends are even able to read your mood and respond appropriately to your vent sessions. They know whether to reply with advice, empathy, or by showing up at your door with cupcakes.
No judgement. Because fellow moms are currently living in the trenches of dirty diapers, bath haters, and toddler tantrums, they know that your decisions are the best that you can make for the tiny human in your life. Because they’ve been there and done that, they are there to sympathize and share a glass of vino long before they toss out advice and give you the eyebrow of judgement.
FRIENDSHIP DATES BACK TO CAVE{WO}MAN DAYS
As human beings, we are social beasts. That means we have evolved in groups, and remain stronger when surrounded by groups today. We crave interaction, enjoy socialization, and have a more positive outlook on life when we feel supported. According to WebMD, people with social support have fewer cardiovascular problems and lower levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. Throw that out as a fact the next time your hubby is giving you a hard time about going on a Mom’s Night Out.
QUALITY OVER QUANTITY
Moms feel more confident when they know they have the support and love of their friends. This confidence leads to a healthier self-esteem, confidence in all areas of life, and overall happier vibe. Instead of spreading your friendship wings to include several acquaintances, studies show that limiting yourself to a few true, blue, stuck-like-glue friendships may be the way to go. Dig deep into the relationships you have and continue investing in them. Although maintaining friendships takes calculated planning and effort on all sides, the reward in the end is well worth it.
PLAN A MOM DATE
How often should moms get together? As fun as it would be to have mom time all the time, it isn’t necessary to plan get togethers daily. In fact, as the absence makes the heart grow fonder mantra goes, so too does the feeling of excitement about events that don’t happen consistently. Whether you schedule your friend time weekly, monthly, or on an infrequent but meaningful basis, know that spending time with friends is leading to a healthier and happier life.
Fun mom dates can include coffee shop stops, shopping sprees, girls’ weekend get-aways, winery tours, attending a sporting event or concert together, movie dates, spin class, or even hosting a play date where the kids can entertain each other while you catch up. What do you love doing with your mom friends? Write and let us know your favorite way to spend time with your favorite friends.
Photo credits:April Walker, Elena Ollick, Kristen Douglas
Sources: Friendships Enrich Your Life and Improve Your Health, 7 Ways Friendships Are Great For Your Health, Good Friends Are Good For You, How Many Friends Do You Need, Social Science: The Health Benefits of Friendship, Science Says You Can Really Only Have 5 Close Friends At a Time
