When was the last time you had an awesome girls’ trip – went out with all your girlfriends on a fun, exciting and relaxing trip? And by going out, we don’t mean stopping at the local café in your neighborhood and joining each other for a couple of drinks.
We actually mean a full-fledged weekend getaway far, far away from home, where you and all your girlfriends get to party like there will be no tomorrow?
If you have any such trip or mini vacation planned in the pipeline, perhaps it is time to execute it and make it happen for real because guess what, your mental health really depends on it!
Girls’ Trip and Mental Health
You must be wondering what’s the connection between taking a trip with all your girls and your mental health, right?
Well, as it turns out, recent scientific research and studies have proven that a girls’ weekend away is actually very beneficial for your mental health and if you suffer from anxiety!. Spending a few days away with friends where you have fun with each other and break free from mundane life not only gives a boost to your mental health but it also helps one live longer.
This was proven by a Meta-analysis conducted in 2010 that carried out 148 studies involving more than 308,000 people. It found out that there is a direct relationship between maintained social relationships and an individual’s lifespan.
Oxytocin – the ‘Love’ and ‘Cuddle’ Hormone
Interestingly, researchers have found that spending quality time with friends, be it in the form of a fun girls’ trip or having a slumber party, boosts the production of Oxytocin in your body.
Oxytocin is a neurotransmitter produced in the body that is released every time you are in a positive social situation. It is also called the ‘love’ hormone or the ‘cuddle’ hormone because it is a feel-good hormone that stimulates positive or ‘happy’ emotions and feelings.
So, whenever you are with friends, your body releases large amounts of oxytocin, making you feel cheery and happy. When this neurotransmitter enters your bloodstream, it is released into certain parts of the human brain, which, in turn, affects your cognitive, emotional and social behaviors.
What usually happens is that the oxytocin impacts all your “pro-social behaviors” which help trigger emotional responses in an individual, resulting in psychological stability, feelings of trust and increased relaxation.
More importantly, once the hormone is in your brain, it significantly reduces your stress and anxiety levels and allows your body to adapt and get accustomed to highly emotive situations.
So, ready for that girls’ trip?
No Enough Reasons for Taking an All Girls’ Trip
If you haven’t already realized, it is time for you to gather all your girlfriends, pack your bags and hit the road because that may just be the one thing that could save your well-being and your overall health.
If you still aren’t convinced though, here are the top reasons why going on a girls’ trip with all your girlies should be the first thing on your priority list.
1) Helps you Reconnect
In today’s incredibly fast-paced life, who has the time to talk about the never-ending woes of life over a sad cup of coffee, right? While some are busy juggling work assignments and deadlines, others hardly find the chance to sit down and talk because of the ever-demanding household chores. In times like these, wouldn’t you want to step away from the ever-so-busy life, and try to reconnect with your girlfriends?
Because truth be told, your gal-pals are the only group of people in your life who will truly understand you, your life and all that’s going on in your head. This may just be the perfect therapy you need.
2) Fun like Never Before
Spending time with family is definitely exciting, but the kind of fun one can have with their girlfriends is a whole new territory. One of the best features or benefits of a girls’ trip is loads and loads of fun, laughter, enjoyment, and maybe even tears of joy!
If that isn’t the perfect way to give a huge boost to your mental health, we don’t know what will. Safe to say, once the trip comes to an end, you will be wiping away tears of laughter from your face and who’s to know, you might even find yourself already planning for the next trip in your head!
3) Recharge Your Body’s Batteries
Do you remember the last time you were simply “YOU” without getting lost in your identity as a mother, a businesswoman, a wife, or say, a caretaker?
Probably not. If anything, a girls’ trip with your best buddies will help you recharge all the drained batteries of your body and fill it with new energy that you probably have not experienced in a while. A trip like this, even if it is a mini weekend getaway, will help you break free from daily mundane responsibilities and duties, and will give you a chance to just concentrate on yourself, your peace, happiness, and well-being.
4) Tighten the Social Bonds
There is probably nothing better and more relaxing than having someone around you to talk to, be it anything from tales of spoiled kids to those about annoying work problems. Especially knowing that there will be no judgments from either of your girlfriends because let’s be real, most of us float in the same boat.
Perhaps, another great thing about taking a girls’ trip with your friends is that you will be doubled up with incessant laughter. And as they say, laughter is the best medicine. But did you know though, the more you laugh, the closer you become with each other?
Research conducted by several British and Finnish researchers has found that social laughter helps promote and strengthen social bonds by releasing endorphins in the body. Endorphins are chemicals in the body that help one deal with pain and stress, and also results in an overwhelming sense of ecstasy. So, are you ready for a wild ride full of fun, excitement, laughter and of course, tons of food?
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