Calling all mothers and daughters everywhere! If you both haven’t taken a trip together or simply just spent some quality time together, now is the time. A new study shows that mother-daughter trips are good for your health! So, pack your bags, grab your mother or daughter (whoever is planning the getaway), and go spend some time together.
Research from Harvard Medical School shows that taking mother-daughter trips once a year can help relieve stress. Additionally, it can help to improve immune responses and decrease the chances of heart disease. It shows health benefits that are incredibly similar to that of a full night’s sleep and a healthy diet!
Why mother-daughter trips are good for you
The research goes even further to say that strong relationships and quality time with the people you love (i.e. mother and daughter) can help you live longer! So, if there’s a relative you haven’t seen in awhile, it may be good to reconnect with them again.
The study examines data from more than 309,000 people. It finds that the lack of strong relationships increased the risk of premature death from all causes by 50%. Moreover, the effect on mortality risk is comparable to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. Furthermore, the effect is greater than obesity and physical inactivity. How crazy is that?
Relationships during the holiday season
The study goes even further to examine those relationships and how they may blossom (or lack thereof) during the holiday season. The study says, “During this busy season, take time to foster your most meaningful relationships. Choose activities that are most likely to bring joy to you and the people you care about. Delegate or discard tasks that eat into your time, or do them together with family or friends. And if you can’t get together with everyone you’d like, make plans to see them post-holiday.”
So, while it is a study based on mother-daughter relationships and overall well-being, it also weighs in on general relationships with people. Remember to keep in touch with loved ones as often as possible!