The old saying that you can choose your friends but you can’t choose your family has never been so relevant, as the latest research into how the nation’s women view their friends reveals that having people to share with can help you live a happier, more balanced lifestyle. With three in four women (76%) claiming to be cheered-up after talking to friends about their problems, and 73% saying that catching up on all the gossip and having a good laugh makes them feel more relaxed, it’s clear that in order to deal with the demands of modern life, getting together with friends is essential.
Nurturing trust is important too, and 55% of women claim they would let their best friend choose a blind date for them. Those surveyed said that sharing time with friends on a regular basis ensures that they have someone who will listen to them and who makes them feel valued and wanted.
Leading psychologist Jenni Trent-Hughes confirms this:
We have our friends to make us feel good. Nothing releases the old endorphins - natural happy chemicals that you release during sex and other times of elation - like laughing and having a good old, fashioned gossip. A true friend is there to talk to and share with, making us feel lighter in both head and heart.
Breezer conducted the extensive research into friendship and its impact on happiness and well-being, to find out exactly how Britain’s women release the ‘friend-orphins’ and relax after a tough week.
Breezer have conducted some fascinating research into the complexities of women’s friendships which has thrown up some fascinating insights I thought you may like to feature in your news.
Time chatting with friends as pleasurable as sex
* Time chatting with friends as pleasurable as sex: Psychologists claim that time spending time with best friends is as pleasurable as having sex as it can release the same endorphins as those released when having sex with a partner. Leading psychologist, Jennie Trent-Hughes adds, ‘We have our friends to make us feel good. Nothing releases the old endorphins - natural happy chemicals that you release during sex and other times of elation - like laughing and having a good old, fashioned gossip. A true friend is there to talk to and share with, making us feel lighter in both head and heart."
* Friends trust their mates advice but refuse to work with them: 75% of women said they would trust their best friend to make important life decisions for them including choosing a partner. 75% of women said they would also only move abroad for a job promotion if their best friend came with them. However, out of this group only 14% said that they would actually recommend their best friend for a job in the same workplace as them due to concerns that their friend would cause distractions, friendly rivalry could turn sour and they could show them up in front of their boss.
* Money matters: Money fronts the agenda for the favourite topic of conversation knocking relationships, dieting, shopping and celebrity gossip of the top spots. 79% of women say they prioritise time with their friends as they use this time to off-load and share their troubles and cheer themselves up.
Regional Findings
* The notion that you can count all of your best friends on one hand is false, with over a 1/3 of women in the UK claiming they have more than 5 best friends
* Scottish girls are five times more likely to discuss sex with their mates than those in the Midlands
* Girls in Wales are the more career focused and are twice as likely to discuss their jobs when chatting with mates than those in Southern England. However, Londoners are the most competitive career wise- they are the least likely in the UK to recommend one of their best friends for a job at their work place
* Northern girls are the friendliest bunch, they are most likely to have eight or more best friends in the whole of the UK. Girls in the south have the least amount of best friends.
Breezer’s survey into friendship shows that regularly getting together with friends is the key to a happy life for the nations women.