Photo: KoolShooters

What time of year do most relationships start?

"Cuffing" season is a time of year — generally fall to winter — when people who normally prefer singledom seek out relationships. This desire can be explained by biology. It may also be thew result of romantic pressures and associations that come with the season.

businessinsider.com - Why more relationships begin in the winter months, according to science

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"Cuffing" season is a time of year — generally fall to winter — when people who normally prefer singledom seek out relationships.

This desire can be explained by biology.

It may also be thew result of romantic pressures and associations that come with the season. So far, 2017 has brought us plenty of new dating trends. Some will stick and some will fade away, but it seems like cuffing season is here to stay (until next year, anyway!). The cold weather means more binge watching, more snuggling, and therefore more time spent finding someone to snuggle with. Whether you plan on taking part in this annual romantic tradition or not, you may be wondering where cuffing season comes from in the first place. Caitlin Bergstein, a matchmaker for Three Day Rule, offers up some scientific rationale behind this dating ritual. "Cuffing season stems from a biological need to survive," Bergstein says. "Thinking back to the caveman days and Darwin’s theory of survival of the fittest, men and women literally had to match up to survive the colder months." Part of this biological theory implies that survival means passing along genes — and to pass along your genes, you need to, ahem, find a mate. According to Bergstein, birth data shows that more babies are born during the late summer months, which means those babies were conceived during the wintertime. Considering additional studies that show there is a physiological increase in testosterone and estrogen levels during the winter, we can assume that, biologically, our bodies are programmed to want a mate during this time of year.

5688709/Pixabay

You might not be feeling a primal urge to meet a partner during the winter months. In fact, you’re probably feeling more social pressure than anything. Bergstein says that shorter, darker days make you feel more sluggish, which makes you less eager to go out after work. The less you go out, the fewer people you meet, which decreases your pool of potential partners. "With less options readily available, many people settle into a relationship rather than continue searching," Bernstein says. "Having a warm body to snuggle up with in the winter allows people to avoid feeling devoid of the human and social interactions they mentally and physiologically crave." Another simple explanation for cuffing season is the romance associated with this time of year. While there is less social interaction, there are plenty of holiday events that necessitate a plus one. "Whether it’s holiday parties, your family asking why you’re single, or the constant barrage of romantic movies on TV, the holidays can be a tough time to be single," Bernstein said. Whether you choose to partake in cuffing season or not, it’s always nice to know the science behind the practice. As it turns out, this "new" dating trend isn’t so new after all!

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What Is Romantic Chemistry? Romantic chemistry focuses on characteristics present between two people, including mutual interests, similarity, and intimacy. According to Kelly Campbell, P.h.D., the more present these characteristics are, the more likely two individuals will perceive chemistry between each other. According to Kelly Campbell, Ph.D, there certainly is. Chemistry has also been used to describe lust, but for the purpose of this article, chemistry in this context refers to mutual romantic interest and compatibility—two potentially very important components of a lasting relationship. "Chemistry happens when various factors converge at the right time," Campbell explains. "For example, chemistry is more likely when people are both open to the experience. It won’t be as 'magnetic' or easy to foster a connection if they are in a rush, angry, or already involved in a great romantic relationship—people who are happily committed tend not to pay attention to potential alternative partners (a premise known as 'derogation of alternatives')." Meet the Expert Kelly Campbell, Ph.D, is a professor of psychology at California State University, San Bernardino. Campbell's research focuses on couple relationships and friendships. Read on to learn more about the chemistry between people and the seven characteristics that may increase that romantic chemistry.

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