Nothing helps you recharge more than a much-needed vacay with your girlfriends. Let's face it, life can be pretty stressful, so being able to take even a weekend away with your best friends to just spend some child-free time together, bonding and reconnecting away from the responsibilities of everyday life is priceless. While it's not always easy to find the time for a girl's trip, a new study is showing that women really should be making holidays with your BFF's a priority for the sake of your health and happiness.

In research conducted by social-personality psychologist William Chopik and published in the journal, Personal Relationships Dr. Chopnik found that having healthy friendships plays a huge role in personal happiness and overall health. He stated that friendships can make you happier and less stressed than a romantic relationship because they're “a way to derive all the benefits of being in a relationship with someone without the enormity of it.”

“Friendships are really important for people’s happiness,” says Dr. Chopik. “In general, they offer improvements on metrics like depression and anxiety.” Friendships are oftentimes a necessary release for many because people can choose to share things with their friends that they may not feel comfortable sharing with a partner or family member.  Friends can often be less judgemental than a partner or family member allowing you to share things you may otherwise keep bottled up inside. “These are relationships of choice. You choose to hang out together because you enjoy each other’s company,” Dr. Chopnik stated according to Well and Good.

Keeping in touch with friends via text message and social media is fine, but nothing really replaces that face to face connection spending time away together can afford you. “You can sit down, look them in the eye, have a true back-and-forth, and read each other’s body language. They can see you and your facial expressions,” says Dr. Chopik. “You’re emotionally responding to things, and you can pick up on their emotions. You don’t always get that through a phone call.”

So the next time you find yourself struggling to make time for a well -deserved weekend away with your girlfriends because you think you just have too much to do at home, remember that spending that time connecting with your BFF's will not only make you happier, but healthier as well. We're convinced!

Read Next: Having A Close Group Of Girlfriends May Be Key To Career Advancement