The summer months bring out the best in us, and that’s one of the reasons why dating is so much better in the summer. We often lose our sense of community when we hibernate in the winter. Many of us don’t know our neighbours, we hide behind our phones and get validation from Tinder matches instead of meeting people in person. The summer changes all of that.

When the sun is out, the world feels brighter and so does our mood. The beautiful weather makes us want to leave our house, show off a sexy floral dress, go on adventures with people and see what the community as a whole is up to.

This is the season where social gatherings and opportunities to try new things are all around us. Here are 7 reasons why the summer is the best time to be dating:

1. You know you’re his priority

There’s so much going on in the summer, and because of that, you know you’re his priority if he’s choosing to spend his free time with you. It’s not like cuffing season where the outside world’s a little boring, it’s cold and you feel as though you may just be a great time-filler. If a guy is spending time with you in the summer, it’s not because he’s bored with nothing else to do. It’s more likely that he genuinely likes spending time with you, even though there’s a whole lot of other options when it comes to how he could spend his summer days. If he wanted to be on the go without you, he definitely could do that.

2. You feel sexier in the summer

Most of us just feel sexier in the summer, and more confident. It’s not just because we’re all wearing less clothing and showing more skin. It’s because our sun-kissed skin, sexy beach hair and feminine sundresses make us feel beautiful – and that makes us want to go out on more dates. That summer glow looks good on everyone, and the sun gives us a renewed energy that makes us feel ready to get off our phones and get out into the real world instead.

3. Date ideas are easier to come up with in the summer

Dates are just better in the summer because there’s so much more you can do with that special someone. We can’t justify the date-night-in as much when it’s gorgeous and hot out. We know that in the winter, the lack of natural light makes us feel tired and lethargic, and we don’t want to go outside when it’s cold, so we might actually put up with Netflix and Chill. However, in the summer, we have way more opportunities to go on SuperDates instead of ordering in. These fun summer SuperDates can be paddle boarding together, a boat ride at sunset, camping under the stars, hitting up a farmer’s market or an afternoon of mini-golf in the sunshine. The options are endless when it comes to date ideas during the summer months.

4. You’re more spontaneous and adventurous

In the summer, you’re at liberty to be as adventurous and spontaneous as you want, because there are so many opportunities to be. You can create special memories and bond with someone by taking off together on a last-minute summer road trip or going cliff-jumping together on a whim. Spontaneity is incredibly attractive and I’ve witnessed even the most disenchanted millennials come out of their shell in the summer, get out of their comfort zone and try new things with new people.

5. You’re less clingy

Because there’s so much going on in the summer when it comes to social gatherings, you’re naturally going to be less clingy with whoever you’re dating. It won’t seem like your world revolves around him, because every other day you’ve got something you need to go to and he won’t always be invited. It’s not attractive to be needy or clingy, we all know that, we just have a harder time being independent in the winter for some reason.

6. Dating is cheap in the summer

Sometimes I wonder if the reason men ask us out for coffee instead of taking us out on a real date is because they’re on a budget and restaurants are expensive. But in the summer, more guys ask us out. Why? Hmmm. Maybe it’s because there are so many free or extremely cheap date ideas to choose from in the summer. A picnic at the beach at sunset is cheap, renting a kayak is cheap, going for ice cream is really cheap, and going on a hike or a walk along the beach is free. An awesome date doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg, that’s for sure, and it’s way easier to think of date ideas when the weather is nice.

7. Being outdoors makes us feel happier

The main reason dating is so much better in the summer is because we feel happier in the summer. We tend to be more active, playing beach volleyball, hiking and kayaking – and being active releases those feel-good endorphins. But that’s not all: being outside more contributes to a major increase in your mood. Studies have shown that being outside in nature makes us feel happier and less stressed. It seems obvious why we have so much fun dating in the summer now, doesn’t it?