Instead, women are more inclined to have a “tend-and-befriend” response to stress. During these times, we are more likely to tend to young ones and befriend others for support as a way to enhance the odds of survival—not only our own survival but also that of our offspring.
This was an absolute aha moment for me. Tend-and-befriend vs the more commonly know fight-or-flight in men. Explained to me why I often found it difficult to leave the house without a buddy during my early postpartum years.
