A quarter of women discuss holiday plans & relationship issues with colleagues before their partners

A QUARTER of women are more likely to discuss relationships, holidays and social plans with their workmates than their partner.

A study of 2,000 females found career advice, parenting difficulties and mental health challenges are among the topics they open up about in the workplace.

Credit: @SWNS

Most assume your partner is naturally the first person you turn to when needing to vent[/caption]

Credit: @SWNS

Turns out women’s work friends are who they confide in first because their advice is far more honest[/caption]

This is because colleagues offer impartial advice (36 per cent), they’re around when you need to vent (35 per cent) and give different perspectives (26 per cent).

However, 44 per cent admit to opening up to friends instead of their partners because they can be more honest with them (30 per cent), they don’t judge (24 per cent) and are honest in return (29 per cent).

Nearly half (44 per cent) consider work colleagues, both past and present, to be among their closest friends, and feel relaxed (21 per cent) after pouring their heart out to them.

Rachel Anthony, spokesperson for BlueIron, which commissioned the study, said: “We often associate strength with feeling physically strong, but we also get strength from the relationships in our lives.

“Whether it’s our colleagues, friends or significant other, the people around us make us who we are. If we’re mentally strong, it can help us to feel tough in all walks of life – whether that’s physical health or otherwise.”

The study also found more than half of women (52 per cent) feel they’re open and honest with work colleagues about their personal life.

Consequently, relationships at work help 42 per cent of employed women get through their working day.

As many as 94 per cent agreed it’s important to have people around you that you can have an open and honest conversation with.

As a result, a third feel strong, mentally, when having this kind of chat with friends.

And 32 per cent find emotional support in the discussions they have with the people around them.

Nearly a third (32 per cent) like to ensure their circles of friends come from all parts of their life, with school chums (37 per cent), colleagues (48 per cent), and fellow parents (20 per cent) among those they are closest to.

The study, conducted via OnePoll, also found speaking to just two people a day, either in-person, by text or phone call, is enough to give women mental courage.

Other factors women believe boost their mental resilience are spending time with their family (44 per cent), exercising (32 per cent) and participating in hobbies they’re passionate about (27 per cent).

Laura Clark, dietitian and expert for BlueIron, added: “This study just goes to show the importance of relationships in women’s lives to keep them feeling mentally tenacious.

“It’s important to nurture all relationships and take care of them – little and often if you can – much like our physical health.

“Good physical health has a huge effect on making us feel strong and a good balanced diet is key to that.

“If we lack certain food groups, such as iron, this can make us experience symptoms such as tiredness or fatigue.

“To ensure your feeling strong and energised, always ensure you include iron rich foods – like pulses, meats, dark leafy greens – in your diet.

“If your iron levels are on the lower side, try introducing an iron supplement that can help fight fatigue and support the normal function of the immune system.”

Credit: @SWNS

This study just goes to show the importance of relationships in women’s lives to keep them feeling mentally tenacious.[/caption]