As the weather gets colder and the days get shorter, a certain loneliness sets in that has many turning to dating apps in search of warm matches. Yet, paradoxically, those same winter blues seem to be causing dating behavior to go south this season.
Ravi Mittal, founder and CEO of dating app QuackQuack, shared in an interview with HT, “The infamous ‘winter blues’ are setting in, bringing with it a sharp turn in dating behaviour; there is a significant increase in vulnerability, confusion and rush among dating. This behavior is temporary and, more importantly, there are simple and permanent fixes for it.”
He pointed out that seasonal affective disorder is responsible for scrolling on and off between dates. The feeling of lethargy and deterioration of mood are due to shorter days and low amount of sunlight.
Ravi Mittal has listed some dating behaviors to watch out for that can inadvertently happen when the winter blues are under the influence –
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1. Unintentional halos
Winters make people more socially withdrawn. Some even have a tendency to go into a “hibernation phase” and end up showing their matches unintentionally and temporarily. The sadness of not being able to find “the one” in another year can be debilitating, draining the energy needed to keep up and strike up conversations with existing matches on dating apps. In the winter, energy levels drop and even socializing online seems like a chore.
Ravi Mittal clarified, “It’s not that people suddenly stop being interested in their match; it’s just that their serotonin levels are in hibernation. They may lack the social battery to interact. It’s a classic “it’s not you, it’s me” situation. The best way to deal with this is to give them space and stay connected through light and small conversations like “What have you been up to today?” Another easy way to combat these seasonal ghosts is to avoid snappy questions like “What do you think of children?” or “Who do you see yourself in five years?”
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2. An endless spiral
When energy levels drop, lethargy dictates monotonous online behavior – endless scrolling. To lift their spirits and add warmth to their dates, young people turn to dating apps, but ironically, that’s where they get stuck in this spiral of doom, avoiding a single match and continuing to spend.
Ravi Mittal’s advice on how to approach this endless dating fling. He said: “This trend is very common among our 25+ daters. After a 30-minute session of non-stop scrolling, every profile dissolves into one giant ball of frustration. To avoid this, it is recommended to set small goals – view the application for 20 minutes; if you don’t find someone compatible, come back the next day. Have a meaningful conversation with one person rather than focusing on the number of matches. It makes dating more satisfying and comfortable. Statistics show that one genuine connection can do a lot more to banish the blues than chasing a number.”
3. The mystery of cuffing season
The cold season fills single people with this obsessive desire to be in a relationship to spend those lonely cold months in the warmth of someone’s arms. However, this is a serious pressure and can lead to a panic-like situation among dates. Ravi Mittal explained, “Don’t let hoops season ruin your compatibility streak. It’s true that there is a noticeable increase in FOMO among daters, but simply taking the time to get to know your match can save you a lot of regret. The result of rushed matches could lead to a new year of regrets. Setting realistic goals, such as finding matches you can truly connect with, rather than favoring convenience and competing with dedicated colleagues, can help avoid heartbreak and keep you from carrying the blues into the new year.”
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