Instead of aiming for marriage, how about setting smaller, more attainable goals, like going on two dates per week or striking up a conversation with 5 people this month?
If finding a significant other is one of your 2019 goals, there are several ways to increase your chances of finding that special someone. And (presumably) unlike your last date, they’re all cheap and relatively effortless. Here are four super simple tricks to increase your dating odds.
Smile
This may sound super cheesy, but it could actually help you land more dates. According to a 2017 study, researchers found that those whose resting faces seemed cheerful were judged as being healthier. Alex Jones, an expert in facial perception, wrote in The Conversation that:
“We discovered that faces look healthier when they are smiling, compared to a neutral expression, and that it doesn’t matter whether the faces are male or female. We also found that this effect increased with the age of the face: while younger adults look healthier when they smile, older adults look much healthier.
A smile was a more important cue than how old the face appeared to be, and more recent research has shown a happy expression is even more important than cues like adiposity or skin colouration. Scientific proof that a smile really is the best accessory.”
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According to Jones, smiling basically sends a message to others that you’ll live a longer and healthier life by virtue of being optimistic and cheerful.
Set realistic goals
Instead of aiming for marriage, how about setting smaller, more attainable goals, like going on two dates per week or striking up a conversation with 5 people this month? As you cross these stepping stones, the larger goals will seem more doable.
Get out of your comfort zone
Swipe right on someone you may not otherwise consider. Just because someone is short, bald or a little out of shape doesn’t mean they aren’t worth your time. If nothing else, it’ll get you out of the house and into dating mode. Plus, your self confidence is likely to get a boost.
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Give second chances
Did that first date not go so well? Don’t sweat it. Writing someone off after a single date could be a big reason why you’re still single. David Vermeulen, founder of elite dating app The Inner Circle, told INSIDER: “Some people are really uncomfortable the first time they see somebody. You have to sell yourself in a way. Some people can do it really well, and some people can’t, but at the same time they’re obviously a nice person.”
Vermeulen says unless the first date was a complete disaster, you should give someone a second shot at romance.
