Hello Sunshine: Why now is the time to look for summer romance

Black British couple walk arm in arm down a sunny country lane

The great British summer is finally upon us and with it comes some long awaited sunshine. With brighter weather on the way, we found five reasons why getting out in the sun can put you on the fast track to summer romance.become a member

1. Sunny days lead to optimism

It is no secret that many people think that the weather can affect their mood. It’s also no coincidence that a good mood is often referred to as one that is ‘sunny’ and ‘bright’ – many people tend to correlate warmer weather with a sense of happy optimism.1 Sunshine can help create cheerful feelings and this is good news for those looking to invite a summer romance: happiness is an attractive quality after all. That’s because many singles prefer dating someone who is happy and positive.2

Read more: Online dating tips 101 – why are you doing this?

2. Warm weather has a positive influence on health

The weather can also have an effect on your health. Winter can leave many in Britain feeling a little low, a situation that can often be turned around by the presence of sunshine. In fact, when treated with due precaution, the sun can have a very positive effect on wellbeing. It can even boost our Vitamin D and serotonin levels – two things that are necessary for good health.3 This extra healthiness is a bonus for those on the dating scene; as it turns out, healthy people are often seen as more attractive.

3. Sunshine makes us flirty

Increased health and happiness aren’t the only dating boosts that occur at this time of year. Indeed, British summer days may be an ideal time to start looking for love as sunshine can make people more receptive to flirtation. In a 2013 study, 22.4% of women were prepared to give their number out when approached by a man on a sunny day. When it clouded over, this number dropped to just 13.9%.4 In other words, take the time to brush up on those flirting skills now: once the sun comes out, you may just find that they are met with approval.

4. Generosity can be linked to warmer temperatures

You may not even need to work too hard. Other studies have shown that, when the temperature rises, people tend to be more generous.5 This can only be good news, then, for those wanting to make the first move: not only is it the time of year to feel particularly happy, healthy and attractive, your prospective partner may well be feeling summery, flirty and extra-likely to say yes!

5. Romantic summer date ideas are numerous

Once you have that yes, the fun really begins. Dating in a British summer is ideal: there’s something about sunny days and warm nights that just seems to radiate low-key romance. This is the perfect time of year to give classic date ideas a low-stress, summery twist. A cinema meet-up, for instance, is far more romantic when combined with wine or a picnic at an outdoor movie theatre. Similarly, a drink after work can be especially elegant when at an outdoor bar, preferably one with a view where the two you can watch the sun go down. Even a simple walk in the park can be great for summer romance – it gives you time to talk, things to talk about and, best of all, it lets you soak up that health-enhancing, mood-boosting sunshine.

Read more: Break the ice! Top ten first date question suggestions

Inspired to find your summer love? Let EliteSingles help you get back on the dating scene with someone truly compatible. Join today.

If you have any summer dating tips please comment in the box below or write to us at [email protected]

Sources:

1 The Effects of Weather on Daily Mood: A Multilevel Approach. Study done on behalf of the American Psychological Institute, 2008.
2 The Reasons Why Happiness Is The Most Attractive Quality. Paul Hudson, 2013.
3 Benefits of Sunlight: A Bright Spot for Human Health. M Nathaniel Mead, 2008.
4 Feeling flirty? Wait for the sun to shine. Taylor & Francis, 2013.
5 Weather, mood, and helping behaviour: Quasi experiments with the sunshine Samaritan. Michael R. Cunningham, writing in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1979. psycnet.apa.org/psycinfo/1981-05406-001

About the author: Sophie Watson

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