As a woman, having a group of positive and supportive close female friends can have a big impact on how we experience life. Life is better and enjoyable with the right people by your side.
Clinical research has demonstrated a strong connection between social relationships and a person’s overall mental and physical health. Studies looking at the impact of social relationships have shown that we can feel happier, be healthier, and live longer when we are socially connected with a healthy social relationships. In contrast, being devoid of or having negative social relationships can create drastic negative affects on our wellbeing – feeling less empowered, increased stress, and a shorter lifespan.
It is a biological need to feel connected with others. We are not meant to live life in isolation, devoid of loving and supportive relationships. Also, we can accomplish more when we partner together and support each other through life.
We don’t need large numbers of social relationships. The key is having the right social relationships that are positive. We need quality relationships that are loving, supportive and empowering. They are the individual relationships that are available during both the good and more stressful moments of life. We must distance ourselves from those relationships that drains, create unnecessary stress, or only available during the good times.
The more supportive friends one has, the better. Everyone can benefit from having at least three quality friendships that they can create loving memories with and depend on to offer emotional support.
Keep in mind, the key is in having quality relationships versus large quantity. It’s not about the numbers. The relationship must be mutually beneficial, where all parties are providing and receiving – feeding and taking – in the relationship.
What Are The Ways To Provide And Receive A Supportive Relationship?
1. Make sure you express and show love, and freely receive it when extended.
2. Make sure you first offer the kind of support you need, and freely receive it when extended.
3. Make sure you give space for the other person(s) to share their thoughts and life updates, and that you get the same in return.
4. Make sure it’s not a relationship that is active only during the good times or when someone needs something.
5. Make sure you initiate conversations where you’re requesting updates on earlier discussed topics, and expect the same of others.
WHY FEMALE FRIENDS? Living life as a woman has its unique experiences and challenges. Who better to have a clear and greater understanding of what it’s like to live life as a woman, than another woman?
As a woman, having female friends can increase opportunities of being in relationship with other people who ‘just gets it.’ The right female friend can effortlessly provide you what you need and want, without you having to do much explaining. There will be many instances where things just does not need words or much explaining.
WHY THE SUGGESTED AMOUNT OF AT LEAST 3 FRIENDS? Simply, it’s nice to have more than one person available to enrich your life. Spread the love of giving and receiving in your relationships.
The more quality supportive female friends you have, the better. It’s nice to have a variety of unique and dynamic friends. Everyone’s unique personality, skills, talents, interest and perspective can enrich your experiences with them. Also, having a greater number of quality friends will increase the available support during challenging times. You don’t want to overwhelm just one friend with your problems because they will have their own and you don’t want to create too much strain on the relationship.
What Are The Ways A Woman Can Maintain Positive And Supportive Close Female Friends?
The key is in having the right social relationships. We need quality healthy relationships that are loving, supportive and empowering. We want to distance ourselves from those relationships that drains or create unnecessary stress.
- Find similarities in what you believe in, what you enjoy doing and how you live – openly discuss and create shared experiences through conversations and activities
- Replay shared memories by creating moments where you go down memory lane
- Inquire and remain curious about one another – how one thinks and feels – because we all change throughout the lifespan
- Encourage each other’s goals and dreams
- Negotiate differences in opinion and lifestyle choices in a respectful, caring and loving way
- Deepen conversations by discussing topics that allows vulnerability and full transparency
- Spend quality time together, and be physically present during major milestones when possible
- Help and actively support one another during challenging times
- Inventory what is working well or areas for improvements – periodically review and openly discuss
- Praise one another’s strengths and observed progress in areas for growth
- Smile and laugh often during interactions – genuine engagement
Once you have you have positive and supportive friends, you must continuously put in the work. Having positive and close female friendships is an intentional practice. It’s an ongoing process of doing and providing the things that can nurture and help the relationship continue to thrive. Once you discover what helps the relationship to work, continue to do it.
Now, intentionally create and nurture positive and supportive close female friendships!
So, ask yourself:
What friends can I depend on for emotional support?
How can I further cultivate the relationships?
