Girlfriend Get-Togethers Reduce Stress Around The Holidays

LENEXA, Kan., Nov. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Your BFFs might hold the secret to a stress-free holiday season. While the holidays might be the most wonderful time of the year, for many women they also can be the most stressful. Studies show that getting together with your girlfriends may actually reduce everyday stress, which can help keep the "happy" in your holiday (UCLA School of Medicine).

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The holiday season is a natural and necessary time for women to bond with their female friends. Not only do the holidays give women an excuse to reconnect, but spending time with girlfriends causes the body to emit the "feel good" hormone oxytocin. Prioritizing friendships around the holidays may prevent common stress-related bad habits like comforting eating or drinking.