Make Time For Friends

Most of us know that just being with friends is enough to get us out of a rut, put a smile on our faces and brighten the day a little, yet a new study reveals Australian women spend only five percent of their time with pals.

The study also found women juggle five or six different roles everyday; almost 70 percent  of women are unable to find the time in the week to do what they wanted to do; and, on average, we spend only eight percent of our time doing things we enjoy.

Something tells me this isn’t what life is supposed to be about.

Has it gotten to the point we’re spending so much time being mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, accountants, daughters, cleaners, chefs, taxi drivers, breadwinners and carers that we don’t have any left over to be friends?

Many studies have demonstrated the mental health benefits women (and men) reap from socializing. It lessens stress, encourages us to talk about our feelings, improves communication and lowers the risk of depression. Common sense tells us a varied support network can’t be a bad thing.

Report author, Dr Rebecca Huntley, said women could create more spare time for themselves by learning how to say no without feeling guilty, delegating tasks and making regular weekly or monthly dates with friends so it becomes a consistent part of their routine.

“Friends are one of the most important support networks that women have. Keeping up with our friends can help us lead a more balanced and fulfilled life,” she said.

What the study didn’t explore, and what it would be interesting to find out, is whether or not men had more free time to spend with their friends, or if they too were missing out on purely social contact. After all, there’s no underestimating the cultural capital of the “boys’ night.”

It’s sad to see many women so tied down by their obligations to others that they are forced to put themselves last, both in terms of seeing the friends that make them happy and doing the things they want to do.

Although I understand for some women it’s not so easy, this week I’m going to make a concerted effort to do more of both.

Contact the author here: brianna@morningquickie.com