Galentine’s Is Science-Backed
You heard me. Galentines is Science-Based Wellness.
Galentine’s Day, once assumed to be an obnoxious social holiday for single females to hate on romance or avoid their lack of a romantic partner, is actually a widely celebrated holiday for friends, whether you have a significant other or not, and is not even isolated to the female-identifying. And guess what? It’s more than an excuse to party in pink; it’s an evidence-backed intervention for mental, emotional, and even physical health.
Intentional friendship supports nervous system regulation, stress resilience, longevity, and behavior change. How much easier it is to stick to a New Year’s health resolution when you have a workout buddy! Science already shows that consistent, emotionally safe friendships are preventive medicine, lower depression risk, and that social connection is one of the strongest predictors of lifespan. The cherry on top? Galentine’s gatherings are biologically aligned with the body’s stress response — not indulgent, but regulatory.
Human stress regulation is deeply relational. While early wellness frameworks emphasized individual coping strategies, newer research highlights the role of oxytocin, “the bonding hormone” — a neuropeptide released when the nervous system perceives safety, belonging, and emotional attunement — think meaningful conversation, shared laughter, and simple physical presence — even if you aren’t the big hugger that your touchy-feely friend is, you still benefit! These moments signal to the body that it is not alone, allowing stress responses to soften and regulatory systems to engage. Although estrogen can amplify oxytocin’s calming effects, oxytocin itself is not a “female hormone,” as most people assume, but a human one. Its release is shaped not only by biology but also by context and social permission. Many individuals — especially those who often cultivate emotionally intimate friendships and chosen family — engage these pathways through connection-based relationships. In these settings, friendship becomes a powerful regulator of mood, stress, and emotional resilience, activating the same neurobiological mechanisms associated with safety and repair.
Viewed through this lens, Galentine’s is less about who is invited and more about how people gather. It prioritizes emotional attunement, mutual presence, and shared joy — conditions known to support nervous system regulation and psychological well-being. What may appear on the surface as a social celebration is, at a physiological level, a collective downshifting from vigilance to safety. In a culture that often rewards isolation and self-sufficiency, intentionally gathering in this way is not indulgent — it is biologically intelligent. So cheers to the gal-pals assembling their fête, you’re so smart and science-y.
Be well and happy Galentine's to all who celebrate.
