A university professor of psychiatry explained the mind-body connection to his students by telling them there’s a relationship between stress and disease. “One of the best things a man can do for his health is to be married to a woman,” he said. “Whereas one of the best things a woman can do for her health is to nurture her relationships with her girlfriends.”
At first his students laughed, but he was serious. Women connect with each other differently and provide support systems that help each other deal with stress and difficult life experiences. Physically this quality “girlfriend time” helps to create more serotonin — a neurotransmitter that helps combat depression and can create a general feeling of well being.
Women share feelings whereas men often form relationships around activities. Women share from their souls with their sisters and mothers, and evidently, that is very GOOD for our health.
I already know this is true. That’s why I created the GaGa Sisterhood so like-minded grandmas can connect with each other. Every time I gather with my GaGas I witness this phenomenon first-hand: “girlfriend time” is good for the soul. Today was a perfect example. Ten of our GaGa Sisters gathered in the gardens of Filoli for our fifth annual visit to this historic country estate right in the heart of Silicon Valley.
For me, it was a reunion with my GaGa Sisters after six weeks of recuperating from two broken ribs and a punctured lung. I felt ecstatic being able to enjoy my friends and the flowers at the same time. As we strolled through the beds of forget-me-nots, roses, wisteria, foxgloves, and columbines, I could barely take it all in. Finally, when we all sat down to lunch, I could focus on the juicy conversations that kindred spirits engage in when they trust each other. It reaffirms my belief that women friends are good for the soul.
So every time you hang out to schmooze with a gal pal, just pat yourself on the back and congratulate yourself for doing something good for your health! We are indeed very, very lucky.