Science says: online dating is bad for your health
Despite enough success stories, I never really wanted to give online dating a chance during my single years. I found it far too superficial and terrifying at the same time, because just imagine suddenly ending up in the house of a serial killer?
Still, during the past lockdowns, I also saw how much fun my single friends had, thanks to all those dating apps. This somewhat changed my perspective, especially since they all returned home safe after all the dates. Moreover, I was also greatly entertained by all their funny and weird stories, so indirectly I was able to benefit from it.
But well, now that we (hopefully) have left corona behind us, I think all singles should trade in their dating apps for spontaneous encounters again. Ultimately, that remains much more romantic. Because let's be honest: that first impression or feeling a click with someone during a night out, no photo or online chat can compete with that?
Additionally, it has also been scientifically proven that all that online dating is not so good for your health. For example, using dating apps can have a negative effect on your self-esteem. Just imagine: after a few minutes of swiping on the couch, you hopefully wait for that golden match. But that match just doesn't seem to come. End result: you spend the whole evening waiting, while your self-confidence keeps decreasing.
According to research, this waiting for such a match can sometimes take hours. Well, just think about what that does to your self-esteem. And what about a rejection? Dating apps are largely based on appearance, so it's quite logical that you start doubting your looks when you don't succeed on Tinder, Happn, or whatever apps exist. They all exist.
This online meat market can ultimately lead to eating disorders. A study from the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health revealed that about half of the users of dating apps (both men and women) had fasted strictly in the past year to keep their weight under control. Dry January.
Moreover, more than a fifth of women and more than a third of men reported having vomited with the aim of losing weight. Finally, 24 percent of women and 41 percent of men indicated that they used laxatives for the same reason. That's really too crazy for words?
Unfortunately, this was not all: online swiping can also affect our sexual health. Herm Kisjes, a mental health care provider and lecturer, wrote a book about this together with psychologist Matthijs Kruk called ‘Lust as Last’. This book discusses the current world in which people have developed a problematic relationship with sex. Kisjes explains: ‘Some people have one sexual date after another through dating apps, while they actually long for a stable relationship. Partly due to technology, sex has taken on a different role, which can affect our sexual health.’
Well, dear singles, I would say: clean up that phone and go on an adventure in the ‘real’ world, because there's plenty to experience there.
