Don’t Forget to Spend Time with Your Friends

The life of a homeschool mom is definitely busy, but according to research, carving out time to spend with your friends is important for your health.

In fact, researchers at the University of Oxford found that women who spend time with girlfriends at least twice a week show better overall health and increased happiness.

“Health benefits also included faster recovery time from illness, a stronger immune system, a decrease in anxiety levels, and increased generosity levels which makes women feel better overall,” wrote Ursula on her Creative Healthy Family blog.

Despite the benefits, only 2 out of 5 women say they spend time outside the home with friends even once a week, and that number drops even lower for women with families.

“Friendships may take a back seat to other priorities…Developing and maintaining good friendships takes effort,” urges the Mayo Clinic in the healthy lifestyle section of their website. “The enjoyment and comfort friendships can provide, however, makes the investment worthwhile.”

It should also be noted that spending time with others doesn’t have to correlate with spending money. While it’s nice to grab lunch or coffee with a friend, the Mayo Clinic also listed some simple activity ideas that won’t break your bank:

- Attend Community Events
- Volunteer
- Spend Time with Your Faith Community
- Talk with Neighbors on a Walk

Above all, as a new homeschool year approaches, remember to be thankful for your friends and approach each day with a positive attitude!