Girl Tripping! 6 Top reasons you will benefit from a Gal pal getaway

Why Girl Trips Are Good For You!!

One thing I have learned in life is that my girlfriends are important and time spent with my close pals is essential to my overall health. Science reveals that your gal pals are good for your health and happiness..

Consequently, the older I get, the more I appreciate Gal Pal getaways. Don’t get me wrong, family trips come first so every now and then squeezing in a girls-getaway is just what the doctor ordered- seriously, it’s therapy! Based on my experience

You’ll know the people that touch your soul because you will feel better after spending time with them. Every once in a while you must pack a bag for a girl’s getaway—It’s therapy!

To illustrate, ten years ago while on a work trip, I sat in a hotel cafe that over looked the swimming pool deck. As I nibbled on my lunch, as I respectfully watched a small group of ladies in their late 60’s gathered in the corner edge of the large swimming pool. As their legs dangled into the water, they engaged in a deep conversation with outbursts of loud belly laughs as they kicked water at each other.

Consequently, I was intrigued by how comfortable they all were with each other as they displayed a zest for life. I swear these ladies acted like they were in their 20’s. It was so awesome!

I ran into the same tribe of ladies in the hotel elevator that afternoon. As the five women stepped into the elevator, you could sense their joy and synergy.  I smiled as I told the group that it was obvious they were having a great time. As it turns out, the group of gals traveled every year to meet for an annual “girl’s getaway”, as they called it.  When they stepped off the elevator one lady looked back to me and said “life is short, take time to plan getaways with your besties.”

I made a mental note to myself to always make girl’s trips a priority.

You said you and me was gonna get outta town and, for once, just really let our hair down. Well, darlin’, look out, ’cause my hair is comin’ down

Planning the Escape

To illustrate, ten years ago while on a work trip, I sat in a hotel cafe that over looked the swimming pool deck. As I nibbled on my lunch, as I respectfully watched a small group of ladies in their late 60’s gathered in the corner edge of the large swimming pool. As their legs dangled into the water, they engaged in a deep conversation with outbursts of loud belly laughs as they kicked water at each other.

Consequently, I was intrigued by how comfortable they all were with each other as they displayed a zest for life. I swear these ladies acted like they were in their 20’s. It was so awesome!

I ran into the same tribe of ladies in the hotel elevator that afternoon. As the five women stepped into the elevator, you could sense their joy and synergy.  I smiled as I told the group that it was obvious they were having a great time. As it turns out, the group of gals traveled every year to meet for an annual “girl’s getaway”, as they called it.  When they stepped off the elevator one lady looked back to me and said “life is short, take time to plan getaways with your besties.”

I made a mental note to myself to always make girl’s trips a priority.

Getting Together With Your Gal Pals Offers Huge Benefits

Getting away with gal pals is about much more than simply having fun. “It offers huge benefits,” says Elizabeth Lombardo, PhD, author of A Happy You: Your Ultimate Prescription for Happiness. “Medical studies show that the bond between women is critical to emotional and physical health.”

Six Top Reasons You Should Plan A Girls Trip Today

 1. . No Drama- No Agenda

When traveling with good friends, you will enjoy the opportunity to let your hair down and  live in the moment without a set agenda.  With no kids, dogs and husbands, you can wake up when you want as you lounge with your cup of coffee after a morning walk.  It’s fun going to a new place and putzing around without a worry in the world.  Strolling as you shop and stopping for a glass of wine along the way at a cute café is a blast.

When you are with dear friends, you can be yourself without being judged or having to deal with unnecessary drama. These friends know your history and appreciate and love who you are.

 2.  Makes You A Better Person

By spending time away with your girlfriends, makes you a better friend, mother, daughter, wife and person in general. When you break away from the ciaos in your life, you have a better perspective on the blessed life.  Let’s face it, everyone deserves time away from home where they can rest, recoup and reflect. It’s good for the soul and makes you a better person, happier too! 

You share ideas on how to deal with difficult situations and crazy fun ways to improve your marriage and creative ways to navigate motherhood.

 3.  Re-living Your Younger Years

In college my sorority sisters would gather in the same room, as we primped to prepare for a college party. We would share clothes and make-up and laugh as the music blasted in the background.  Remember how fun it was talking to your friends as you planned your night out? It’s the same way on a girl’s trip.  Somehow I always find myself feeling like a 22 year old again. Okay, maybe 30? Relaxed and fancy free, laughing and singing is good for our souls. Some things should never change as long as we can help it.

Sharing stories from our past is always a kick as we reminisce the years gone by. The last trip I went on, I laughed so hard for three days it was if I did 5,000 sit ups. My abs were so sore but more toned.. ha ha

 4.  Time To Talk

On a girls trip, you have an endless amount of time to discuss kids and share their successes and struggles.  Lately, there’s  a lot of talk about our aging parents, work, where we want to live, travel and retirement goals.  We are always sharing our latest fashion finds and decorating secrets. We laugh and sometimes tear-up but it’s all good!

  5.   Good For Your Health 

As Southern Living points out, research has shown that spending time with friends helps to boost the body’s production of oxytocin, otherwise known as the happy hormone. Plus friendships can help extend life expectancy, increase pain tolerance and lower chance of heart disease.

Women need to focus on their own personal needs for better health because we have a motherly instinct and tend to accommodate our husbands (or boyfriends) and kid’s needs first. However, when women are with only women, they are more free to make themselves the priority and life feels more balanced.

  6.  Give Yourself Permission!

Mothers often feel guilty for stepping away from their family. Don’t! Hear me out! Life is short and goes fast. When you are on your death bed, you will want to remember special times spent with your best friends.  Live with purpose, love and grace. You are worthy of a break – from work, kids deadlines etc.  You will feel recharged when you return, I promise!

Take Away:

Pull up your calendar right away so you can take the first step in planning a girls getaway.  Read all about my last girl’s trip to Sun Valley here. You will never be sorry about breaking away from the mundane daily life to re-charge with your gal pals. There are 6 good reasons to get on it today!

Fill me in on your latest Gal Pal Getaway! I want to hear about it!

Best,

Lisa :