Posted October 29, This is exactly what happened with one ex. After he ended our three-year relationship, we continued to be intimate mostly at my urging for almost two years.
It was only when I learned he was enthusiastically pursuing other people that I realized that only one of us had actually moved on. While I thought sleeping together meant we were eventually getting back together, he clearly did not.
I still cringe when I think of how I behaved hookup those two years — referring to him as my boyfriend, organizing dates, making plans for our future. At one point, I went on a few dates with another guy, but ultimately ended things because Introvert an tips dating for felt like I was cheating.
Given the opportunity to relive that period, there is no doubt I would cut off communication with him the moment our relationship officially ended. How much time and energy I wasted trying to convince myself that we were getting back together. Researchers at Wayne State University with two studies on participants of all ages and relationship types who had recently gone through a breakup. In the first, they surveyed individuals on whether they had any physical contact with their former partners and how it made them feel afterward.
For the second experiment, participants self-reported their attempted sexual encounters and emotional attachment to their ex over the course of two months.
Lead researcher Stephanie Spielmann concludes, "This research suggests that societal handwringing regarding trying to have sex with an ex may not be warranted.
While hooking up with an ex sounds tempting, it may not be the best solution to get over them.
Still, only you know yourself best — and what will likely work or not work for you. Struggling to get over an ex?
What Are Your Chances of Getting Your Ex Boyfriend Back?
Here are some more science-backed, human-tested tips. A diagnosis often brings relief, but it can also come with as many questions as answers.
Jen Kim. Valley Girl With a Brain. New research suggests post-breakup intimacy might not be so bad after all. Posted October 29, Share. About the Author. More from Jen Kim. More from Psychology Today. Back Psychology Today. Back Find a Therapist. Back Get Help. Mental Health.
I know I'll see my ex at our friend's birthday. Is it bad that I kind of want to hook up with him?
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New research suggests post-breakup intimacy might not be so bad after all.
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