Ah, Valentine's Day. Some people hate it, others love it, but the truth of the matter is we're all thinking about it (If only because heart-shaped chocolates are taking over drug stores nationwide.). Whether you're attached, flying solo, or somewhere in between, there's bound to be something on your heart's mind. From how sex can improve your health to the ultimate guide to contraception and the science of a broken heart (ugh, sorry...), check out these resources just in time for Cupid's favorite holiday.
Relationships and love
1. 30 Cheap and Awesome Date Ideas Under $30 From stargazing, to kayaking, to coffee shop hops, check out this creative list of ways to reconnect with your sweetie without stressing out your wallet.
2. How I Stay Single and Sane While All My Friends Are In Relationships There have been laughable dates, periodic tears, and lots of people who feel sorry for her. Here's how one Greatist writer learned to cope with being single when (almost) everyone else her age had already paired off.
3. How to Set Healthy Boundaries in Every RelationshipGuest Writer Jennifer Kass outlines how to know if you're not setting healthy boundaries in a relationship, plus three crucial steps for becoming your own best advocate.
4. Table For One: A Single Girl's Reflections on Valentine's Day I wanted Josh, but I didn't want a relationship. Now I'm single and that's totally fine. Right?
5. How to Find Love in 4 Minutes: The Science of Speed Dating What else can ruin a first date besides bad breath? It turns out, a lot. Researchers analyzed speed-dating interviews and found several factors that predict a lack of connection.
6. The Surprising Health Effects of Love It's not just about roses and candlelit dinners. Romance can have a positive (and negative) impact on our health and wellbeing.
7. Sex with an Ex: Are Post-Relationship Hookups a New Normal? On again, off again, then back on — turns out those tumultuous relationships are pretty common among young adults. But what do they mean for personal development, and is "ex sex" the new normal?
8. Why Monogamy Might Be Good for Your Health Turns out monogamy is actually uncommon in most human cultures around the world. So what are the benefits of bonding with just one babe?
9. Is My Partner Bad for My Health? Our romantic partners may not share every interest with us, and that's okay. But when do quibbles over exercise and eating habits become reasons to call it quits?
10. The Science of a Broken Heart Whether it's the result of a breakup or the death of a loved one, heartbreak can be an overwhelming experience. Fortunately, there are lots of tips for coping with the pain.
11. Does Love at First Sight Really Exist? It happened to Cinderella and Prince Charming, so it can happen to us too, right? Find out if love at first sight is just for fairy tales.
12. 20 Bad Habits That Could Hurt Your RelationshipWant to lose the love of your life? Didn't think so. Avoid these bad habits that could harm a happy relationship.
13. The Dirt On Dating: My Open Relationship Do committed relationships require being monogamous? One Greatist staffer opens her mind to open relationships.
14. 15 Active Winter Date Ideas Dinner and a movie is soooo last summer. Check out this list of active winter dates that will keep the heart (and the romance) pumping.
15. Will Living Together Ruin My Relationship? Get close and cozy or give each other some space? Living together can change a relationship for the good and bad.
16. Wedding Season for All: Same-Sex Marriage Could Reduce Stress Marriage goes way beyond the tax benefits. Studies have shown that heterosexual married couples are generally less stressed — and a new study shows the same goes for homosexual couples, too.
17. Become a Workout Power Couple Hit the gym as a couple to help strengthen bonds (and biceps!).
18. Modern Intimacy: Love's Amazing, Love Hurts In the first of a series of columns on modern relationships, psychiatrist Dr. Mark Banschick explains why intimacy is so appealing — and so difficult.
19. Modern Intimacy: Explaining Commitment Phobia In the second of a series of columns on relationships, psychiatrist Dr. Mark Banschick explains the fear of commitment and provides tips for building mutually fulfilling relationships.
20. Modern Intimacy: Coping with Neediness In the third of a series of columns on modern intimacy, psychiatrist Dr. Mark Banschick explores why we can feel so needy in intimate relationships, and offers several tips for addressing neediness in a healthy, productive way.
21. 19 Smart Ways to Fix a Stale Relationship For people in long-term relationships, "less passionate" phases are bound to happen. They also suck. But never fear — we've got the scoop on how to break out of a relationship rut.
22. Why We're Attracted to Assholes The dream-date has gorgeous hair, beautiful eyes, and a breathtaking smile. But that same catch soon turns out to be selfish, unreliable, and unstable. Sound familiar? Read on to find out why men and women keep falling for jerks.
23. I Virtually Do: How Social Media Is Changing Marriage If you like it then you shoulda' put a ring on it. Or not? Find out how the Internet is changing the way we plan that walk down the aisle.
24. Health and Fitness in Relationships: Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen? Former staff writer Kelly Fitzpatrick takes a personal look into the world of health and fitness within relationships. This time around, she talks to bloggers Alice and Martin about cooking as a couple.
25. Health and Fitness in Relationships: Workout Power Couple Former staff writer Kelly Fitzpatrick talks to trainer Andrew Kalley and gym-wear designer Kelly Dooley about making it work as a fitness-minded couple.
26. Health and Fitness in Relationships: Eating Within the Rules Former staff writer Kelly Fitzpatrick talks to Marnina Cowan and Seth Coburn, food bloggers with some big dietary restrictions.
For the full list of 56 things you didn't know about sex, love and relationships, go to Greatist.com.
