Love in Winter: Welcome to cuffing season, when everyone wants a partner

Every winter, a phenomenon emerges in the dating world. It’s called cuffing season, during which single people seek out a romantic relationship to last the cold, winter months. However, experts note that this trend isn’t too healthy and can lead to dating turmoil

Have you ever wondered why the one person who looked like a regular colleague suddenly seems all broody and attractive as winter approaches? When you give it some serious thought, you notice the pattern tends to occur every winter.

You haven’t found true love, but mainly your brain is preparing you to get warmth from another person and pushing you towards them. People often mistake it for love and form a long-term relationship with people of the opposite gender.

More from Explainers

US approves first device to treat depression at home. Here’s how it works Is social media damaging your child’s ability to focus?

What is cuffing season?

This phenomenon in which individuals seek a partner or relationship just through the winter months is known as cuffing season. Experts note that even the most cautious daters tend to drop their guards and embrace casual dating.

Cuffing is derived from the word handcuffing, since one is metaphorically chaining themselves to another person through a season. While the term has been around since 2011, the concept began to take off last year, reported Vogue.

And before you scoff the idea, take a look at a survey that dating app Hinge carried out in 2015. After polling 1,000 of their active users, they found that men are 15 per cent more likely to be looking for a relationship in the winter than any other season, while women are five per cent more interested in something more committed during those months.

Research carried out by dating app Bumble also reveals that the most popular time for relations is between late November and mid-February — smack dab in the middle of winter.

Editor’s Picks

1

Dinner Table Conversation: Why eating earlier may help you during winter

But what leads us to indulge in such behaviour? It’s the hormonal changes in the human body. The body witnesses a serotonin dip and melatonin fluctuations, making mood regulation harder. Meanwhile, several external factors like the change in weather and daylight also influence one’s mood making people feel lonelier and more in need of emotional support.

And hence, people indulge in cuffing.

Is cuffing season toxic?

The idea of cuddling next to your partner may seem cute and mushy, but  experts note that it has have taken a toxic turn, especially with the advent of online dating. For some people, the concept of handcuffing themselves to another person is unhealthy.

For others, making a rushed decision to get into a relationship can end up in heartbreak or other dating-related turmoil afterwards. “Cuffing season can blur the lines between genuine connection and seasonal vulnerability,” said Deepti Chandy, COO and therapist at Anna Chandy & Associates, while speaking to Hindustan Times.

The reason why many consider it to be toxic is that often the desire to cuff comes from the fear of being alone, rather than finding someone who loves and adores you truly. Instead of looking for connection, people use cuffing season as a reaction to discomfort found during periods of loneliness.

What to do to avoid turning toxic cuffing season?

People can use cuffing season as a time for self-reflection. Rather than jumping into a relationship at the first chance people get, they should reflect on the kind of person they would like to bring home to meet their family.

Some experts, like relationship expert Carolina Pataky, while speaking to Cosmopolitan magazine, suggested that people should shed their fears and anxieties before stepping into the dating pool during the cuffing season. Once a person is self-aware, the chances of the season turning toxic reduce by a large amount. “When cuffing season is used as a time to practice mindful connection — listening fully, being honest about needs, and pacing intimacy with awareness — it becomes a growth period,” Pataky told Cosmopolitan.

Since our moods are generally low during winter, we often seek romantic relationships to cheer us up, which can be dangerous. So, some ways to feel happy and satisfied include spending time with loved ones, seeking sunlight where possible, moving your body as much as possible, and engaging in activities that lift your mood.

One must approach cuffing season with clarity and calmness in order for it to make a positive impact on their love life. The healthiest relationships emerge when a person is self-aware and makes decisions through presence, patience, and mutual curiosity.