Keep the Coffee Date: Why Female Friendships Are Good for Your Health

A little encouragement from Coffee with Dr. Rooney

Hello, friends—it’s Dr. Rooney, and today on Coffee with Dr. Rooney, I want to give you one simple, life-giving reminder: do not underestimate the power of your girlfriends.
In the middle of busy schedules, family responsibilities, work demands, and the constant pull to “be productive,” it can be easy to let friendship slide to the bottom of the list. But I try to be intentional about setting aside time to maintain my female friendships because those conversations are so encouraging, uplifting, and restorative.

And here’s the beautiful part: those friendships are not just fun. They are good for your health!

Friendship Is More Than a Nice Extra

The Nurses’ Health Study, one of the largest long-term investigations into women’s health and chronic disease risk, has helped researchers better understand the many factors that shape women’s well-being. Social connection is one of those factors. In particular, close friendships and having a trusted confidant have been associated with better health and wellness outcomes for women.

That means your coffee dates, long phone calls, walks with a friend, and honest conversations with your “ride-or-die” girlfriend may be doing more than lifting your mood. They may also be supporting your long-term health.

Why Your Bestie Matters as You Age

As women age, connection becomes even more important. A close female friend can offer perspective, laughter, accountability, prayer, encouragement, and a safe place to be honest. Those moments of connection can help us feel seen, supported, and less alone.

On the other hand, isolation and the absence of a trusted friend or confidant can take a real toll. Research on women’s health has shown that social connection is not a luxury—it is part of the bigger picture of wellness.

A Simple Challenge for This Week

So here is my encouragement for you today: text the friend. Schedule the walk. Keep the coffee date. Say yes to the lunch invitation. Make the phone call you have been meaning to make.

Your friendships do not have to be perfect, fancy, or complicated to be meaningful. Sometimes the most healing thing is simply sitting across from someone who knows you, loves you, and makes you laugh.

Good friendships are not only fun—they are good for your health, ladies.

I hope you feel encouraged and empowered to protect those life-giving relationships and make time for your gal pals. Your heart, your mind, and your health will thank you for it.