Women, Friendship and Reconnecting

September is National Women's Friendship Month, so take the time to recognize and nurture the friends who play an important role in your life.

Midlife is a great time to reconnect. When you're young, friends help form your identity. As a teenager, with the need for acceptance by peers, your self esteem is impacted by how they see you. Later on, when your family becomes more self sufficient, friends often return to the forefront. And as you plan the next chapter of your life, you can turn to them for guidance and comfort.

Here's an article from the New York Times about the mutual admiration and friendship between tennis champions Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova that grew stronger the more they competed against each other.

Results from a number of research studies support the value of friendship. Having good girlfriends lowers our stress, enhances our moods, protects us from diseases, increases our self confidence and actually even helps bring healing to our bodies.

Whether you exchange emails daily, meet for coffee once a month or spend an annual weekend away, make a concerted effort to spend time together. Grow into the closeness, understanding and trust at the heart of women's friendships - it's one of the best gifts you can give to others as well as yourself.

Log on to the online community for women, Girlfriendology.com, and be inspired to appreciate and celebrate your friendships.