You’re walking to class and all of a sudden you start daydreaming. You hug your sweatshirt against you a little tighter to keep the breeze out and images of making Christmas cookies with an adorable guy or girl float into your mind. You both laugh as you playfully wipe flour off of their cheek. There’s a crackling fire in the background and Frank Sinatra playing on Spotify.
“Free donut if you sign up for —”
You abruptly snap out of it as you also run straight into someone flyering in Turlington.
The weather is getting colder and the warm and fuzzy feelings of the holidays are creeping closer. You don’t have to admit that you want a boyfriend or girlfriend right now, because researchers have already let it slip for you. Studies have found an increase in conception rates in the wintertime, with an annual peak taking place in the month of December.
It makes sense that when it gets chilly you want someone to cuddle with and help you plan a s’mores-filled bonfire, but is it that simple? Do we just get the shivers and look for a warm body to share our bed? Why does this time of year give people the green light on finding a “Netflix and Chill” companion?
“When I was single, I can definitely remember that winter feeling of wanting to cozy up with someone,” said local entrepreneur Chris Cano. “The summer just seems way more conducive to singlehood.”
The temperature drop might not be the only contributing factor. It’s easy to think that the winter gift giving season is a tempting (albeit shallow) reason to find a date.
Department stores psychologically prepare us for boyfriend season. Holiday advertising is chock full of beautiful, happy couples celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas. Nearly every Black Friday advertisement screams “YOUR BOYFRIEND/GIRLFRIEND WANTS THIS FOR CHRISTMAS!” (I’d like to personally thank Pinterest for making me feel like I absolutely need an 8-foot teddy bear from a tall, dark and handsome mate this season.)
If the commercial brainwashing isn’t enough, social media takes its turn heaping on the loneliness as well. Instagram is filled with romantic adventures of friendly couples you secretly hate and exes with their new bae. We receive constant affirmation that everyone else had found someone and we’re #foreveralone.
“The pictures of lovey dovey couples doing fall activities are impossible to avoid,” said Marisa Castro, a UF psychology student. “I scroll through my newsfeed and that’s the first thing I see: my best friend and her boyfriend of two years picking out a pumpkin at a pumpkin patch and documenting the entire thing.”
Fear not, the rush to get a winter lover doesn’t seem to last. Breakup rates begin to climb at the beginning of the new year. It’s no surprise that a lot of new couples can’t survive the holiday madness of too much family time, stress and eggnog. (Your crazy, drunk Uncle John was never nice to your significant others.)
So, whether you give in to the winter love bug or hold out for a spring fling, brace yourself for the upcoming months of couples season. And remember: Your newest winter accessory doesn’t need to be a shiny new relationship.
Photos courtesy of: Unsplash
