Science-Backed Date Night Plans
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Couples who create art or play board games together release oxytocin.
Board games. This activity doesn’t sound super sexy, but hear me (and science) out.
A recent study found that when couples play board games or take a painting class together, their bodies release oxytocin, aka the “hugging hormone”. Oxytocin is associated with bonding and family cohesiveness.
Environment matters
A significant environmental impact was also discovered. Couples in a novel setting and activity released more oxytocin than in a familiar place. So when planning your date, monopoly on the couch is out. Monopoly on a rooftop in a new country? Now we’re talking.
(Okay, those are two extreme examples, so aim to find a happy middle ground somewhere.)
How to increase your O factor
Get your board game or art-fueled oxytocin pumping with a game night, take an art class, or simply just go on a date somewhere new.
FOR THE NERDY: Checkmate [source: Neurosciencenews.com]