Candy hearts and boxes of chocolate line the shelves of stores, just waiting to be purchased by smitten lovebirds.
But is that doesn't describe you, or at least not yet, don't fret!
In the interest of bolstering your love life, here are some science-backed ways to fall and stay in love:
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Listen up.
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's actually super critical for all parts of a relationship — at the beginning and when that honeymoon period ends and the inevitable conflicts arise.
A 2010 study of 373 couples from the University of Michigan found that those who were able to discuss issues calmly and listen to their partner when having an argument were less likely to separate later on than couples who didn't do this.
Business Insider also chatted with psychotherapist M. Gary Neuman, who said that listening is key to falling in love because we have a need to be heard.
Make eye contact.
Maybe that staring contest isn't such a bad idea. Zick Rubin, a social psychologist, conducted a study back in 1970 on 158 college-age couples who were dating. By observing how much time the couples made eye contact and how they responded to a survey about their relationships, he was able to conclude that the more eye contact the couple made, the stronger their relationship.
Other studies have arrived at similar conclusions, and that even among people who are strangers, staring into each other's eyes appears to increase feelings of intimacy.
Give thanks.
A "thank you" can go a long way not just for the recipient of the remark, but for the one making it as well. A 2010 study found that people who felt grateful for a kind act done by their partner also reported feeling closer to him or her. The feeling of gratefulness was more important than the act itself.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider