“Cuffing Season”: Reality and Tips for the Season
This week, we passed the Autumn equinox and are officially in the fall season! Fall, whether you see the leaves change where you live or not, can bring desires for cozying up, expressing gratitude, feasting on autumnal foods, and even reflections on the year gone by. Additionally, as the days get shorter, there is less daylight to socialize, which can increase feelings of loneliness. These feelings swirl together to create a rise in people seeking romantic relationships, a time that many call "cuffing season."
What is "Cuffing Season"?
Cuffing season, referencing the "handcuffs" of a relationship, is a period from fall until Valentine's Day during which people seek more intimacy and romance, in turn making increased efforts to find partners. While you may think the trend is purely anecdotal after having heard a friend say that they want to participate in cuffing season, there is some research to support the reality of this phenomenon across our culture.
Cuffing season peaks on Dating Sunday, the first Sunday after New Year's, when dating apps are at their busiest. [1] Furthermore, a 2013 study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior analyzed Google keyword searches for online dating companies, such as Match, eHarmony, and OkCupid, and found that searches increased during December and January. [2] The data team at Facebook also published in 2012 that people are more likely to change their relationship statuses to "in a relationship" during December, and Hinge reports that between August and November 2024, the most messages were sent in October. [3]
Psychologists and other clinicians are also paying attention to these trends to better support and inform their clients and patients. Blogs from Psychology Today, Cleveland Clinic, and WebMD share advice for entering and navigating cuffing season with improved resilience and experiences. [5] [6] [7]
Considerations for Dating During the Season
Chamin Ajjan writes, "Getting 'cuffed' might sound appealing, but don't jump in until you have considered the big picture." Ajjan explains that relationships that begin during cuffing season are at risk of fizzling out when spring arrives and one or both partners see themselves as having more options. Additionally, people who are planning to start long-term relationships should consider whether they are motivated by the right reasons. While there is no prescribed "correct" reason to seek a relationship, Ajjan warns that looking for a relationship solely to avoid loneliness or to have a response to relatives' badgering about your relationship status at holiday functions does not position you for success.
Similarly, Dr. Susan Albers explains: "The downside is that needing to be in a relationship right now often makes people lower their standards or expectations in a relationship [...] They are willing to be with people who are convenient and available versus those who truly match them." Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby echoes the importance of considering your motivations so you can make thoughtful, instead of reactive, decisions: "Getting clear about who you are and your values and gaining self-awareness about your patterns in relationships is personal growth work that can help you make good decisions."
Tips to Navigate Dating During the Season
There is a great deal of advice available for dating both during cuffing season and generally, but here are highlights to consider while dating during this time:
Communicate Your Intentions
Samantha Burns urges daters to open up the lines of communication to get on the same page. Being honest and clear about what you are looking for in a relationship (e.g., length, pacing, monogamy or openness, etc.) can ease early relationship building. Avoiding assumptions and understanding any alignments or misalignments with intentions can clarify whether there is a promising future for the relationship, or if it's best to part ways. While the conversation may be uncomfortable at times, it is better to know sooner rather than later if you share the same intentions. Dr. Albers also encourages everyone to be open to change as they get to know one another. New relationships, romantic or otherwise, can reveal new desires or parts of ourselves we've never seen before, so it's important to remain open, but also to communicate any changes of intentions.
Define Your Relationship
Similar to the idea of communicating your intentions, it is also wise to discuss and define the relationship. Defining the relationship sets boundaries and expectations, which are both important to the sustainability and success of a relationship. Defining the relationship can also have practical implications, such as informing plans or even sexual health decisions. BetterHelp shares open-ended prompts that you can use to start these conversations:
"I like you, and I don't think I want to date anyone else right now. I'd like to know how you feel."
"After thinking about it, I've realized I'd like for us to [X], and I'm wondering what you'd think about that."
"We haven't officially talked about whether we're exclusive, and I think we should have that conversation."
"While I love a lot about how we've been doing things, I think I'd be happier if we [X], and I wanted to see what you think."
Don't Make Plans Too Far in Advance
What "too far" means can look different for each person in each relationship, but generally, especially at the beginning of a relationship, it is good to "take it a few weeks at a time," says Dr. Albers. Making plans for the summertime is romantic, but can also put stress on the relationship to make it last until then, even if it isn't a good fit. Try talking to your new partner about how far in advance they are comfortable planning for and share your thoughts. Perhaps you can even establish a rule like: "We'll only plan as far in advance as we've been together. For instance, after dating for two months, we can plan two months in the future."
Sources
[1] Wikipedia. 2025. “Dating Sunday.” January 21. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dating_Sunday&oldid=1270910654.
[2] Markey, Patrick M., and Charlotte N. Markey. 2013. “Seasonal Variation in Internet Keyword Searches: A Proxy Assessment of Sex Mating Behaviors.” Archives of Sexual Behavior 42 (4): 515–21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-012-9996-5.
[3] “The Right Time for Love: Tracking the Seasonality of Relationship Formation | Facebook.” n.d. Accessed September 25, 2025. https://web.archive.org/web/20191031035034/https://www.facebook.com/notes/facebook-data-team/the-right-time-for-love-tracking-the-seasonality-of-relationship-formation/10150643989093859.
[4] Hinge. September 4, 2025. “What Daters Need to Know About Cuffing Season 2025.” https://hinge.co/newsroom/cuffing-season-guide-2025.
[5] Ajjan, Chamin.“What Is ‘Cuffing Season’? | Psychology Today.” October 30, 2018. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-dynamics-of-love/201810/what-is-cuffing-season.
[6] Cleveland Clinic. October 17, 2022. “8 Strategies For Dating During Cuffing Season.” Accessed September 25, 2025. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/cuffing-season.
[7] WebMD. September 29, 2022. “What Is Cuffing Season?” https://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/features/what-is-cuffing-season.
[8] BetterHelp. October 9th, 2024. “Finding Healthy Boundaries: How To Define The Relationship.” https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/relations/do-you-need-to-define-your-relationship-how-and-why-to-get-on-the-same-page/.