#21. First Meeting
Couples meet in many different ways. They either hook up through a dating up or just come across each other while out on the town. But there is one way most couples meet.
A survey found that 39% of respondents found love through friends in common. This is the case with people between 18 and 34 years old. In addition, 22% met their significant other following encounters in a social setting–e.g. a party. But what about the rest of the survey?
#20. Surprising Results
One would think that, on this day and age, most people would meet online, right? Well, the survey actually showed that only 10% of people met through a website or app.
However, most Americans do in fact try it and believe it is a great way to meet people, but only a few succeed. So let’s look at the stages of relationships.
#19. Defining The Stages
Dating site eHarmony actually conducted a study and came
up with 5 different stages that most couples go through nowadays. But discovering them wasn’t easy.
1,000 people were surveyed, and after many tests, the study defined the main phases of romantic relationships. We’ll dive right into it on the next page.
#18. Disclaimer
Dr. Lina Papadopoulos, one of the psychologists who carried out the study, said: “It’s fascinating to note that love can be broken down into such distinct stages“. And she was absolutely correct.
However, the experts have a word of warning: “It’s crucial not to rush through any phase“. Not enjoying every single stage can actually end up breaking the couple up, so it’s important to enjoy every step of the way.
#17. The First Stage
Many people’s favorite stage is the first one. Meeting someone new is so exciting, that when
that phase is over, many people go into a crisis. It is important to enjoy the early stages, but also accept it when it’s time to move on.
Experts call this stage butterflies, for obvious reasons. It is a phase of overwhelming infatuation and physical attraction, and it’s addictive like a drug.
#16. Freshly In Love
We all know how it feels: butterflies fluttering all over your stomach. It is not only symbolical, however. Many people have experienced physical effects that come with butterflies.
The study found that 30% of the respondents lost some weight during phase one. But why does this happen?
#15. Adverse Reactions
How is it that 30% of people lose weight when they fall in love? The answer is that people almost forget to eat because they’re full-on in love.
This phenomenon is more common than we think. Love is so addictive, that it overruns many other feelings, such as hunger, in this case. But that’s not the only side effect of love.
#14. Head Over Heels
Not only do they forget to eat, but 39% of respondents confessed that they couldn’t accomplish several tasks as they fell in love. Because people’s minds constantly wander when they’re falling in love, they just can’t be productive.
Basic tasks like cooking, reading, cleaning, and just doing their job become difficult. What’s the scientific explanation for this phenomenon, though?
#13. Blame it on the Hormones
An explanation for this side effect of love is an increase in hormones, and they do more damage than we think.
Many people get pimples, for example, because a rise in testosterone causes a rise in sebum, which produces breakouts.
#12. Nothing Lasts Forever
However beautiful the butterflies may be, they don’t last forever. And, when the butterflies end, the next phase comes into play.
The next stage that couples typically go through is building. And there’s a good reason for its interesting name.
#11. Breaking Down the Walls
When people get to know each other, their walls start to come down, and they start building their own story together.
This stage is a turning point for a couple, as the high of a new romance starts to wear off. But there are still physical effects that go together with this stage.
#10. Side Effects
During the building stage, 29% of people experience happy anxiety. This means that the couple can’t really focus on anything other than the relationship.
Another symptom is losing sleep. Love birds stay up thinking about their significant other, and happy anxiety prevents them from sleeping. But that’s not all.
#9. Same Old, Same Old
The most challenging part of this stage is a feeling of routine that comes with it. Partners feel more comfortable around each other, and develop certain patterns of behavior.
Each one finds their role in the relationship during this stage, and this marks the beginning of the third stage that’s coming up.
#8. Assimilation
Assimilation is the hardest stage of a relationship for most people. As its name hints, it is not as exciting as the previous two.
During this stage, things get more serious. Couples begin to ask themselves questions such as “do we want the same thing?“, “where are we at in our life?“, and so on.
#7. Red Flag
Asking those very serious questions can either make or break a couple. If both want the same thing, then it’s all good.
But during this stage, many find out how different they are from one another. Not only that, but there’s another obstacle that comes with assimilation.
#6. Resentment
Once the butterflies go away, many people suffer from withdrawal. They romanticize the early stages and resent where they have ended up.
This is where many have to face a really tough question: “did I make the right decision?“. This defines whether a couple will stick together or fall apart.
#5. Bad Reputation
Although the assimilation stage sounds like a nightmare, it doesn’t always lead to heartbreak.
Discovering that they’re on the same page strengthens the bond between them, and prepares them for what’s coming up next.
#4. Honesty
Once people reveal their true feelings and figure out who they are, they can continue in a manner that’s in touch with reality and not clouded by the butterflies.
This level of openness, however, can be tough. The study revealed that 15% felt doubtful and vulnerable during this stage.
#3. Bumps on the Road
The path of honesty is a hard one, but it can also bring much joy to the couple. Seeing your partner’s true colors can make you love them even more!
Surviving this stage means that the couple moved past the obstacles and are stronger than ever. Then, they move on to the last stage.
#2. Stability
Couples search for the feeling of stability throughout all stages because it gives them boosted levels of intimacy and trust.
Most people who reach this stage are at their happiest. This is because people release oxytocin during this stage. But what does that mean?
#1. Happily Ever After
Oxytocin is a hormone that bolsters happiness and attachment, which brings the couple together.
It is up to the couple to care for this connection for the rest of their time together and hopefully live happily ever after.