eHarmony.co.uk has found that bad dates can cause stress, depression and lead to spots, with such effects lasting way beyond just the evening.

What has a bad date left you with?

What has a bad date left you with?

Dates can have an adverse effect on both emotion and physical heath, so a date that doesn't go so well not only toys with the body but the mind too.

30% report feeling depressed, a quarter feel anxious and 14% have avoided going on dates since due to the feelings associated with their last one.

Furthermore, some people avoid their family and friends and close themselves off from their social lives as a coping mechanism so they don't get asked questions about their past and future dates.

Spots aren't just for teenagers either with 6% who found their acne got worse after such a date. 10% had a surge in their appetite from the stress, making those singles crave calorific foods to ease the unwanted feelings.

eHarmony.co.uk psychologist Dr. Linda Papadopoulos, who assisted with the study, said: "Dating is an emotional roller-coaster and can really take its toll on your body and mind - biologically, psychologically and even socially. Before a date you can feel nervous and anxious, which can turn into elation and passion if it goes well, or stress and possibly help foster feelings of depression if you've been matched with the wrong person.

"In the case of bad dates, this stress leads to the production of sex hormone testosterone in both men and women, which stimulates the sebaceous gland to secrete more sebum and ultimately results in the formation of spots, while also increasing cortisol levels which studies have found has a direct correlation with increased appetite."

So what constitutes as a bad date? Lack of chemistry, mismatching personalities, rudeness, drunkenness and talking about an ex are all responsible for bringing in a date down.

Singles will often self-medicate to try and get through the evening; by upping their alcohol levels or choosing to have some retail therapy afterwards.

For those who might not understand how it feels to have one or a series of bad dates- the singles described it as like having an argument with a loved one, a really bad hangover or the flu. None of which sound appealing.

On the flip side, a good date can give people a surge of endorphins and serotonin and this new found positivity impacts on their attitude, eating and exercising habits.

Finding somebody you are compatible with also means a boost in libido, as testosterone and oestrogen are released into the body, along with monoamines such as dopamine that play an important role in sexual responsiveness.

Dr. Papadopoulos added: "The key to dealing with a bad experience is to take on board what you can learn from it and to let go of the rest. Accept that sometimes things don't work out and beware not to overgeneralise. The journey to a meaningful relationship is to a large degree a journey of self-discovery, figuring out who you are, what you like and what you don't. So break that negative cycle and take back control by being secure in the knowledge that the only way a bad previous experience can affect a current one is if you let it."

eHarmony.co.uk expert Jemima Wade comments: "We've all been on those dates, the ones you wish you could call time on from the minute you arrive. As this study shows, it can really wear you down. Luckily, at eHarmony, we've found the remedy with our scientific Compatibility Matching System which provides better matches, to give you good feelings that last!"


by for relationships.femalefirst.co.uk
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