Trying to spice up your dating life? An adventurous spirit may go a long way, according to a new survey from Match.com.
Eighty-five percent of singles agree that a potential date's sense of adventure isan attractive quality, according to a survey of1,034 singles from dating site Match. The survey found that 62%of Match singles have a bucket list and a little over 75%of them feel more inspired to be adventurous during summer months.
Engaging in something new or adventurousstimulates the reward centers of the brain, flooding the brain with the "pleasure chemical" dopamine, according to EmilydeAyala,American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT ) certified sex therapist and couples relationship expertat Revive Therapy.
"Engagingin an adventurewith a partner helps you grow in your relationship and strengthens your bond," deAyala said. "I think that when you go through an adventure and come out on the other end, a sense of confidenceis built."
The survey found that some of the top items on singles' bucket lists include falling in love (83%), going on a wine tour in Napa Valley (53%), changing someone's life for the better (52%), going on a safari (45%), riding in a hot air balloon (45%), and seeing the Northern Lights (45%).
And for people looking for mates, curiosity or being adventurous is a compelling quality in a partner, according to Mary Andres, a professor at the University of Southern California, and co-coordinator of marriage and family therapy program.
"Sharing experiences of discovery binds people together," Andres said in an email interview. She notes that the opposite of being adventurous is "someone who is fixed in their ways," which isn't attractive to many people.
deAyala said that even for couples in committed relationships, being adventurous and having shared experiences is key to long-term monogamy and satisfaction.
"I encourage all my clients to keep a sense of novelty and adventurousin your relationship, as simple as trying a food you wouldn't normally try ... orif you are able to travel that's the best thing to do with your partner," she said.
To help singles get in touch with their adventurous side, on May 22 Match is unveiling a new feature that allows singles to create bucket lists on their profiles.
The dating site also plans to host over 600 events as part of its Match Summer Bucket List Event Series.
Here's the full list of the 10 top bucket list items on singles’ lists:
1.Fall in love - 83%
2.Go on a wine tour in Napa - 53%
3.Change someone’s life for the better - 52%
4. Get to my ideal weight - 47%
5.Go on a safari - 45%
6.Ride a hot air balloon - 45%
7.See the Northern Lights - 45%
8.Go to the Super Bowl - 43%
9.Swim with dolphins - 39%
10. Travel through Europe - 38%
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Survey: Sleeping together before a first date is a-OK, but cracked phones are a put off
Couple finds each other on Match.com 25 years after being camp crushes
