Stress and anxiety is reduced when women share personal information
Research conducted by scientists at the University of Michigan has found women who regularly share intimate details of their lives with friends are happier and healthier due to increased production of progesterone, a hormone shown to reduce anxiety and stress, the London Daily Mail reports. The study divided 160 female students into two groups—one that asked one another questions designed to bring them closer such as “Given the choice of anyone in the world, who would you want as a dinner guest?” The second group proof-read a botany paper. After 20 minutes, the women who had asked one another questions were found to have increased or steady progesterone levels, while the progesterone levels of those who’d worked on the botany project declined. ‘It’s important to find the links between biological mechanisms and human social behaviour.” said Professor Stephanie Brown, who led the research, which was published in the journal Hormones and Behaviour. “’These links help us understand why people in close relationships are happier, healthier and live longer than those who are socially isolated.’