Stress, pimples, overweight. So many problems that bad dates could cause, according to a new survey carried out by the American dating site eHarmony.co.uk. About 6% of people questioned by the survey testified to having suffered more from dermatological problems such as pimples or eczema after an unsuccessful first date. Additionally, one in ten users saw their appetite increase because of a date gone wrong.
The survey also revealed that one in three adults felt “depressed” after a bad date. A quarter of the participants said they were more apprehensive about encounters after a bad experience.
Stress caused by a bad date leads to an increase in cortisol and testosterone levels in the body, psychologist Linda Papadopoulos explains to the Daily Mail website. A high level of cortisol would increase appetite and cravings. Previous studies have already shown the link between cortisol and caloric intake. Worse, too much testosterone in the body would stimulate the sebaceous glands causing them to secrete more sebum, which would promote acne.
On the other hand, a successful date could have just as much impact on health, but in a positive way. After meeting an interesting person, the levels of endorphins and serotonin in the body are high. About half of the participants testified to being more optimistic after a good date. Subsequently, they often adopted healthier habits, such as exercise and a balanced diet.
Finding someone you are compatible with also boosts libido in a third of participants, due to high levels of hormones such as testosterone and estrogen in the body that play an important role in sexual receptivity.
“The key to coping with a bad experience is accepting what you can learn from the situation and forgetting the rest,” advises Dr. Linda Papadopoulous. Dating is as much an opportunity to meet new people as it is an opportunity to get to know yourself, she concludes.
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