Women are natural multitaskers, but our hectic lives often lead us to lose touch with our most valuable social support—our friends. Here are ten effective strategies for busy women to maintain and nurture their friendships while juggling their daily responsibilities.
Don't wait for your friend to call you. Take the initiative and make the call. Regular communication is crucial for maintaining strong friendships. According to a study by the University of Kansas, it takes about 50 hours of socializing to move from acquaintance to casual friend, and over 200 hours to become close friends (source).
Once a month, organize a meal prep session with 1-3 friends. Bring your slow cookers, cook whole chickens, debone them, cut up veggies, bake bread, make homemade pasta, or cook tofu. This not only helps you prepare meals for the week but also provides a great opportunity to catch up. According to the American Time Use Survey, women spend an average of 37 minutes per day on food preparation and cleanup (source).
Plan a Saturday morning garage sale adventure. Meet for coffee, map out your route, and list your desired items. This can be a fun and economical way to spend time together. In 2020, the secondhand market was valued at $28 billion and is expected to reach $64 billion by 2024 (source).
Meet for a walk in the park, walk the golf course in winter, try aqua jogging, or do an exercise video together once a week. Exercising with a friend can make the activity more enjoyable and help you stay committed. According to the CDC, adults need at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week (source).
Volunteer together for a cause you both care about. Whether it's Habitat for Humanity, Girl Scouts, school fairs, or local church activities, giving back to the community can strengthen your bond. Volunteering has been shown to improve mental health and increase life satisfaction (source).
Join a local craft class or workshop. Whether it's pottery, beadwork, or stained glass, creating something together can be a rewarding experience. Crafting has been shown to reduce stress and improve mental well-being (source).
Host a DIY session at your home. Share your expertise or learn something new together, like making bath bombs, Christmas ornaments, or handmade cards. This can be a fun and productive way to spend time with friends.
Organize a movie night with your friends. Choose a good chick flick, prepare some popcorn, and have tissues ready. Watching movies together can be a great way to relax and bond.
Start a book club with 2-3 friends. Choose a book—fiction or non-fiction—and discuss it together. If meeting in person is difficult, use email or online platforms to share your thoughts. According to the Pew Research Center, 72% of adults in the U.S. read a book in any format in the past year (source).
Pledge to help each other with home projects. Whether it's painting a room, cleaning the basement, or garden maintenance, working together can make these tasks more manageable and enjoyable.
By incorporating these strategies into your busy life, you can maintain and nurture your friendships, ensuring that your social support network remains strong and vibrant.
Women and Workplace Stress: It's More than the Job!
Stress in the workplace has become a significant occupational health and safety risk worldwide, including in the U.S. The debate centers around who is responsible for illness related to stress if the workplace is contributing. Research shows that a majority of work-related stress is borne out of attrition and the requirement for more in less time by employees. Our own culture of speed, convenience, and instant gratification also drives our stress reactions.
Ten Easy, Yet Powerful Ways to Rekindle Your Dating Spirit After a Break-Up
After a relationship ends, diving back into the dating world can seem daunting. However, with the right mindset and strategies, you can rediscover your enthusiasm for meeting new people. Here are ten effective ways to rejuvenate your dating life, ensuring you approach this new chapter with positivity and readiness.
Ten Essential Questions to Answer Before You Begin Your Search for the Love of Your Life
Looking for a life partner can be an exhilarating yet daunting journey. To increase your chances of success and reduce potential frustrations, it's crucial to spend some time on self-reflection. Answering the following ten questions can help you better understand yourself and what you seek in a relationship.
