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Our weekly newsletter filled with news, updates, and inspiring stories of how God is working in the Bay Area.
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What can reduce stress, help prevent a cold, fight depression, calm stress, and prolong your life? The answer may surprise you. Waves of scientific research over the last several years point not to dietary supplements and self-help books but to something much simpler and perhaps easily overlooked: friendship.
While friendships seem to boost well-being in both men and women, women actually enjoy some extra health benefits. One study found that women’s hormones respond differently to stress than men’s; while men may have a “fight or flight” response to stress, women’s hormones are actually calmed by befriending and caring for others.
The New York Times published an article presenting study after study backing up the profound psychological and physical benefits of friendship:
“People with stronger friendship networks feel like there is someone they can turn to,” said Karen A. Roberto, director of the center for gerontology at Virginia Tech. “Friendship is an undervalued resource. The consistent message of these studies is that friends make your life better.”
We believe that the Bible backs up this research, and that is why our Girls’ Night Out is so important. In Proverbs 27:9 (MSG) the Bible says,
…a sweet friendship refreshes the soul.
Proverbs 27:9 (MSG)
We believe God wants us to have close, meaningful friendships – both with him and with each other. Don’t miss our upcoming Girls’ Night Out for an opportunity to meet women of all ages and backgrounds and learn more about God for yourself!
Written by
Amy Query
Amy Query is an editor of BACC Inspire and avid reader. She studied psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, and has over a decade of experience in mentoring, counseling and community organizing.
Russ Ewell writes about how the statistical decline in explicit religiosity is counteracted by the precious, insatiable spirituality God can use to call to us.
Only three in 10 Americans attend church once a week or almost once a week, according to a recent Gallup poll.
We can change people’s lives through relationships, spirituality, and meeting needs, says our Executive Minister on CBN News