What does Girls (or Guys) Night Out mean to you? A night out for drinks? A chance to get dressed up and put makeup on? Watching football on Sundays together? A conversation over tea at someone’s home? Sharing experiences and solidifying your bonds and support for each other?
There’s evidence that regularly going out with friends and maintaining those friendships can pay dividends on your health and longevity. Research has shown over and over an association between having a core group of friends and other social outlets (such as a church group, running club, sewing class, or regular GNO) and your health.(1)
Having a strong network of support around you in general helps improves your chances of surviving a diagnosis. Repeated studies have shown that patients who “…lacked social support, lived alone, or had not been married…” had an increased risk of death following a heart attack.(1)
A friend of mine goes out to dinner with her three best friends once a month, and over their sliders and sweet potato fries (or pan seared halibut, depending on the mood), they each set a personal goal for the month. This goal could be asking for a raise at work or proclaiming to wear skirts more often. The following month, they report to each other the results.
Towns often have Newcomers Associations – the West Hartford Newcomers and Neighbors Association invites new and old residents of West Hartford to get together for fun events. “Newcomers & Neighbors is run exclusively by volunteers both new to the area and those who have experienced a recent “life change” such as a new baby.”(2)
My husband always says that his job as a sports TV producer is “far less noble” than my field, public health. In response, I always tell him that sports give people across the globe a reason to live! Men and women alike follow sports teams as devoted fans, watching or attending games and loyally rooting for their team.
And reaping the benefits of social support does not always require in-person contact. Having someone to call for advice is invaluable throughout life, as my mother-in-law tells me: “My friends have known me from since I was a child to an old lady so there’s no pretense. When you’re having a bad day and they’re having a good day, we can talk about life things…” for support.
Whether it be going to a ball game together, happy hour at Flemings in West Hartford Center ($6 bar menu until 7 pm every night) (3), splitting a bottle of wine at free jazz in Bushnell Park (Monday nights every summer), going for a jog together, or hitting the stores at Evergreen Walk in South Windsor and The Shoppes at Farmington Valley in Canton (two of my faves), friends lean on each other for someone to laugh with, gossip with, and trade advice.
The bottom line is that investing the time in your relationships will mean you have the support you and your family needs when times are tough – so make an honest effort to stay in touch.
Let me know your thoughts and how you spend Girls (or Guys) Night Out!
1. A summary of some research on social relationships: http://www.psychosomaticmedicine.org/content/57/3/245.short
2. West Hartford Newcomers and Neighbors information: http://www.westhartfordnewcomersclub.com/
3. Flemings Happy Hour details: http://www.flemingssteakhouse.com/bar-menu-and-cocktails
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