Relationships

Science Says Adventurous People Are More Attractive

by Candice Jalili

In what honestly feels a little bit like a personal attack, the results of a new study have basically deemed me UNATTRACTIVE in the eyes of a lot of people surveyed.

OK, I'm probably being a little dramatic here, but the study said having a sense of adventure is largely considered attractive, and you know what? I don't really have one. THERE, I SAID IT. I'M UNADVENTUROUS.

But anyway, for all you adventurous people who are pumped about this, you might want to take a quick break from your zip-lining and cliff diving to read this.

The new study conducted by Match.com found that 85 percent of Match singles agree that a sense of adventure in a potential date is extremely attractive.

In terms of why that might be, Dr. Helen Fisher, Chief Scientific Advisor for Match and Biological Anthropologist, explained,

Novelty triggers the dopamine system in the brain to make you feel alert, focused, energetic, optimistic…and often romantic, making one's sense of adventure the ultimate aphrodisiac. So when you find an adventurous partner, you are likely to have a companion who will keep you lively, healthy and romantic too.

But "adventure" is a loose term. So let's get a little more specific here. What KIND of adventures do you want to be going on with your partner?

Well, it seems a lot of people look to their bucket list. And Match found that 73 percent of singles say they'd be more attracted to someone if they shared the same bucket list items.

Here are the top 10 bucket list items based on the lists of those surveyed:

1. Fall in love (83 percent). 2. Go on a wine tour in Napa (53 percent). 3. Change someone's life for the better (52 percent). 4. Get to my ideal weight (47 percent).

5. Go on a safari (45 percent). 6. Ride a hot air balloon (45 percent). 7. See the Northern Lights (45 percent). 8. Go to the Super Bowl (43 percent). 9. Swim with dolphins (39 percent). 10. Travel through Europe (38 percent).

Now, on top of having to enjoy going on adventures, I have to enjoy going on these specific adventures?! UGH, IT JUST DOESN'T END.

I am big on the whole "killing two birds with one stone" thing, though, so I was glad to know 66 percent of Match singles said they'd like to check off one of these bucket list items while on a date.

Match has a new feature where you can actually let your potential matches know what's on your bucket list.

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Match
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Match

On your profile, you can display items on your bucket list in certain areas, like "self-improvement," "adventure," "sports," and "travel," so hopefully, you can match with someone with similar items on their list.

Now, time to log on to Match, check out someone who wants to go on the same adventures as you do, and go on that big, wild, adventurous date you've been trying to go on!

Citations: Check off Your Bucket List with Match this Summer! (Match)