Over so soon? Utah couples experience some of the shortest 'honeymoon periods' in the US, reveals survey
Isn’t falling in love wonderful? Those early days not being able to bear being parted from that perfect person, finding everything they do and say the funniest, most intelligent, charming, adorable and delightful thing you’ve ever seen or heard…
But how long does this phase actually last? You know, when what started as an endearing quirk became just plain annoying, or that noise they make when they eat that you tolerated at first starts to get on your nerves. To find out, leading mattress review site Mattress Clarity conducted a survey of 3,000 Americans to find out how long the honeymoon period of their relationships typically lasts. And they discovered that on average it lasts just 6.7 months, which is not that long, particularly if you’re hoping you’ve found ‘The One’ and that your relationship will go the distance…
Things are more optimistic if you live in Alaska; there, average honeymoon periods last 11.5 months, the longest stint out of all the US states. Maybe Cupid should set up shop here, as it seems Alaskans are either just more tolerant, or just more blinded by love! It’s bad news if you’re from Rhode Island, however; here, the honeymoon period only lasts for 2.8 months - that’s barely enough time for your number of dates to go into double figures! Perhaps Rhode Islanders are just really picky, or have impossibly high standards? Couples in Utah also experience some of the shortest honeymoon phases in the country at just 5.8 months – significantly below the national average of 6.7 months. To find out how the rest of the country compares, check out this infographic:
https://www.mattressclarity.com/blog/how-long-does-the-honey-moon-period-in-a-relationship-last/
So what are the signs to look out for when that heady phase to an end? Well, for over a third of us (36%), it’s going to bed at different hours. This was followed by no longer making an effort with our appearances (20%); not having breakfast in bed together anymore, because actually you have to rush to work and you just don’t have time (16%); when the messaging and calling starts to slow down (12%); the bedroom habits become irritating – snoring, fidgeting and duvet stealing (8%); and finally when we start to wear unflattering PJs to bed, because you feel so comfortable with your partner, though alas it makes them find you less attractive (8%).
Overall respondents said that they get on average half an hour less sleep when they are sharing a bed in a new relationship (which is no real surprise, as it takes time to feel at home in your bed sharing with someone). Couples said that when the honeymoon period of a relationship ends they mostly argue over finances – especially if one of you is a big spender, and the other likes to keep an eye on the purse strings (61.5%). This was followed by the amount of time spent together (15.4%), past relationships (7.7%), intimacy and boundaries (7.7%), and arguing over where to spend a vacation – when one likes lazing on the beach and the other person loves being active (7.7%).
However, don’t panic – there is hope! Even though the honeymoon period has come to an end, you can still keep the fire burning with this useful advice from Mattress Clarity’s Joe Auer:
Be accepting
The honest truth is that nobody is perfect. It’s tempting to see your partner as such while in the honeymoon phase, but you have to be realistic, and accept that there will be some habits you don’t like, or some flaws in their personality. Your partner will be thinking exactly the same about you at some stage! If it all gets too much, be open and talk about how it makes you feel. Communication is key to a good relationship.
Try new things
A honeymoon phase is full of firsts but once that ends, don’t let that put a stop to trying new things together. Keep the fire in a relationship with new experiences; try working out together, go to exhibitions together, pick a different type of world cuisine every week and cook it together. Make it fun!
Compromise
When you’re right in the honeymoon phase, it’s easy to focus on similarities rather than differences; these usually only come to light when the rose tinted glasses have come off. One thing you’ll have to start doing is be prepared to compromise; yes, you may hate how messy they are, but you could lighten up on the nagging them to tidy up and come up with a shared, and fair, solution.
Friendship
Start to build on a friendship together after the honeymoon phase ends because, let’s be frank, a lot of this phase is driven by lust and physical attraction. Learn new things about each other, tell each other stories from your childhood, find out even more about what they like or don’t like. Friendship is what makes a marriage last decades.
‘The honeymoon period is, without doubt, one of the best things about a relationship!’ says Joe. ‘But so many people are disappointed when it ends. However, that definitely doesn’t mean the end of the relationship – if you both make an effort, it could turn into the most fulfilling one you’ve ever had!’
=====================================
H-2A Agricultural Worker Visa Modernization Joint Cabinet Statement
Secretary Acosta, Secretary Nielsen, Secretary Perdue, and Secretary Pompeo
(Washington, D.C., May 24, 2018) — When President Trump addressed the American Farm Bureau Federation in January of this year, he reminded the audience that his commitment to our farmers has been clear since the day his Administration began: “From that day on, we have been working every day to deliver for America’s farmers just as they work every single day to deliver for us.”
In keeping with that commitment, our Departments are working in coordination to propose streamlining, simplifying, and improving the H-2A temporary agricultural visa program – reducing cumbersome bureaucracy and ensuring adequate protections for U.S. workers.
The Trump Administration is committed to modernizing the H-2A visa program rules in a way that is responsive to stakeholder concerns and that deepens our confidence in the program as a source of legal and verified labor for agriculture – while also reinforcing the program’s strong employment and wage protections for the American workforce. In addition, by improving the H-2A visa program and substantially reducing its complexity, the Administration also plans to incentivize farmers’ use of the E-Verify program to ensure their workforce is authorized to work in the United States.
As the agencies tasked with administering or facilitating the H-2A visa program, and thus closest to farmer and labor stakeholders, the Departments of State, Agriculture, Labor, and Homeland Security are embarking on a process to modernize the H-2A visa program by clarifying and improving the regulations governing the program. We look forward to delivering a more responsive program soon.
