How to Have Healthy Relationships with Your Female Friends
Filed Under: Healthy Living · Life Force of the Soul · Love Sex & Relationships · Regenerating Spirit · Self Confidence · The Secret to You
Filed Under: Healthy Living · Life Force of the Soul · Love Sex & Relationships · Regenerating Spirit · Self Confidence · The Secret to You
Is Bitching The New Female Bonding…
Do you have a female friend who seems to only connect when they’re moaning about how bad their life is? It could be killing your friendship.
A few years ago, I became super tight with a woman at work. We spoke every day, spent nearly every weekend together and pretty much shared everything. It was peachy except for one thing. When we were together, all we did was complain. We clung on to each other, not for support, more for the comfort of commiseration. A problem shared is a problem halved, or is it?
Bonding over negatives may be one way to connect, but it sure isn’t healthy. Excessively talking about problems with fellow drama queens is so common in fact that researchers have given it a name: “co-rumination” and it can have some really nasty consequences.
Studies done by the University of Missouri-Columbia have found that bitching about life only exacerbates problems, and contributes to anxiety and depression. Also being this immersed in conversations with female friends about what you see as missing in your life can stunt other relationships, career aspirations and self-confidence.
Co-rumination it appears is often centered on things like boyfriend trouble, office politics, and frequently body issues like being overweight. And there is no denying that when women get together, the conversation degenerates into talking about who’s skimpy shorts don’t fit anymore. In some circles, “fat chat” is not only talk it’s a requirement.
Women are likely to engage in behavior that mirrors their other female friends. It’s a way of fitting in and being accepted. And in these situations, it’s misery that becomes the bonding experience. It’s also how women have been taught to interact. We have been raised to commiserate over negatives and to be wary of women who look good and feel great about themselves. She somehow is the enemy and represents competition not friendship material.
More often than not, a friendship that is built on drama or negativity is simply not sustainable – the connection may only last for as long as both friends are willing to play at being victims in their lives. Say, if female friends commiserate over being overweight, it will soothe them and make them feel that they are in it together, but once one of them drops five kilos or so, it becomes another story. Jealousy, and a sense of betrayal are some of the feelings that can surface when a friend is seen as no longer being a part of the “suffering crowd.”
No-one should ever turn their back on a friend in need. Expressing hurt, fear, anger, disappointment is natural and necessary at times. However, when there is little else going on in this relationship, then there is a problem.
There are some very simple steps that counter negative talk and promote healthy friendships -
- Redirect the conversation and keep the mood light and positive. Compliment your friends.
- Focus on yourself and your own health rather than comparing yourself and your life to that of your friends.
- Encourage your friends to make healthier life choices.
- Say something positive about yourself and your friends instead of saying something negative.
Don’t waste time and energy on negativity. Have realistic standards and positive attitudes towards yourself and get out there and enjoy your life!
Warmly,
Michelle Munnich

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