Sure, romance never goes out of style, but during the month of August, it's time for romance to get an extra boost.
In honor of this sexy summer month, Zoosk conducted their 2nd Annual Romance Awareness Survey of about 1500 single members of their online dating site to find out just who is more romantic and how satisfied singles are with their romantic lives.
While it shouldn't come as a surprise that 81 percent of women and 69 percent of men surveyed said that women are more romantic, their findings showed that Valentine's Day (19 percent) ranked lower on the romance totem pole at 19 percent than an anniversary at 57 percent or even a first date at 24 percent.
What's even more surprising is the overwhelming amount of singles who are not satisfied with the amount of romance in their lives, with 80 percent of the men and 73 percent of women, not happy in the romance department.
How can you add more romance to your life and be happier? As a hopeful romantic and one who makes love a daily part of my life, it all starts with loving yourself and creating rituals, with or without a partner. Romance isn't only measured by the quality of quantity of sex in your life, but it begins with adding random kind gestures into your activity list.
Here are five tips to ramp up romance in your life, with or without a romantic partner.
Cyber Love
As one who spends a lot of time helping singles with their online dating profiles, I can't help but stress that it's one of the simplest ways to think about romance and relationships. When you log in daily to your online dating site, take extra time to compliment someone on his or her outfit. Let them know you think they have an incredible smile. You'll be surprised how quickly the boomerang effect will take place. You'll feel like romance is just a click away.
Send Flirty Texts
I'm a huge fan of sending romantic text messages leading up to your date. While I'm not in favor of sexting, and with the Anthony Weiner story still in the headlines, you should think about what you're about to text before pushing the send button. Sending a fun and flirty morning text message letting your date or significant other know that you're excited about your date with a few xoxo's will definitely add some romance to your love life.
Smile and be Confident
Believe it or not, you actually feel sexier and more confident even when you're smiling while on the telephone. Nobody can imagine romance with a Debbie or Donnie Downer, so smile at the grocery store, while in line at the bank, or in an exercise class. You'll come across as happier and don't be surprised if a few heads turn.
First Date Rules -- Be Proactive for Romance
Being passive on a date doesn't help you in the romance department. Sure you don't want to be too aggressive, but the Zoosk survey showed the squeaky wheel gets the romance deal with 34 percent of singles finding it most romantic when their date plans a surprise activity for their first date, with 27 percent liking to hold hands on the first date and 25 percent actually enjoying it when their date leans in for a kiss.
Schedule Date Nights
If you already have a steady loved one, you know how often relationships can end up in a rut after the first three months. When the honeymoon period starts to wane, if you're not dating your mate and creating romantic memories, it's easy for the relationship to fizzle out. Pick the same day each week and take turns selecting your date spot. You don't have to break the bank, especially during Romance Awareness Month, as there are plenty of free concerts, where you can bring a picnic basket to or take the beach walk that so many swear they can't wait to do.
National Romance Awareness Month gives you the opportunity and excuse to jump out of your rut and your comfort zone and think about how you can add more romance to your life.
What romantic rituals help you in your relationship?
Julie Spira is an online dating expert and founder of Cyber-Dating Expert. She's the author of the bestseller, The Perils of Cyber-Dating: Confessions of a Hopeful Romantic Looking for Love Online and creates Irresistible Profiles for singles on the dating scene. For more dating advice follow @JulieSpira on Twitter and sign up for the free Weekly Flirt newsletter.