ACHY BREAKY HEART
***This random double-opt in survey was conducted by OnePoll, a market research company and corporate member of ESOMAR and adheres to the MRS code of conduct. For more information about OnePoll’s research in the media, navigate to their portfolio here: http://www.onepoll.com/in-the-media/
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The average American adult has been through three major relationship break-ups and spent more than a year and a half of their lives getting over them, new research reveals.
According to a new study looking at the ways Americans deal with heartbreak, people give themselves an average of about four days to wallow in sadness immediately after a relationship ends.
That’s followed by a process of healing that lasts just over six months for a serious relationship- meaning 18 months of post-break-up pain per lifetime for the average person.
The survey of 2,000 people from across the country, conducted by Yelp Eat24, also found that Americans have an average of around two tearful conversations and four instances of crying alone following a split.
Women are twice more likely than men to have lonely sobbing sessions - and two girls/guys’ nights out with friends is normal in the process of getting over an ex.
While the majority - 65 percent - claim they never contact former exes or flames after a big break-up, one in four admit that they get in touch with at least two previous loves following a split.
When it comes to healing, two thirds of respondents agree that comfort food is an important part of getting over an ex.
One in three even have a specific go-to comfort food for when they are upset, with ice cream being far and away the number one choice having been picked by 43 percent of respondents - followed by pizza (30 percent), fried foods (22 percent) and cake (18 percent).
M&M’s, Mexican takeout and Oreos also feature on America’s 20 most common break-up treats, while tacos, fried chicken and Krispy Kreme donuts are also used to help heal hearts.
However, when asked to rate the actual amount of happiness each comfort food brought them, respondents said that chocolate was top scoring 6.9 out of 10 on the happiness index, with ice cream right behind at 6.8 followed by pizza at 6.6.
High levels of comfort food are most needed in the first five weeks following a break-up- with key signs of recovery kicking in after then.
After an average of one month and 12 days, the tears over a break-up will have stopped, and four more days after that is the average length it takes to muster up the courage to delete the ex’s number.
Seven and a half weeks are needed to remove pictures of an old flame, while it takes a full two months before we’re able to stop bringing up an ex in conversation.
A disciplined half of Americans claim that they don’t require any time at all to stop checking their former flame’s social media pages, but one in ten admit they continue to peek at them five months or more after the relationship’s end.
It takes an average of three months and 11 days before heartbroken American feel ready to date again - although one in four admit that they use dating or pursuing other people as a means of getting over their previous ex.
“Break-ups are tough, and while there are many different ways to deal with the end of a relationship, it seems that the general consensus is that you should treat yourself well,” says Mike Ghaffary CEO of Yelp Eat24. “Whether it be indulging in some of your favorite foods or hitting the town with your friends for some fun, there are plenty of ways to make sure you treat yourself right during the tough times.”
AMERICANS' TOP METHODS OF GETTING OVER A BREAK-UP:
1. Spending time alone
2. Watching films and TV
3. Spending time with friends
4. Spending time with family
5. Treating yourself with food
6. Taking a walk
7. Get rid of ex-partner’s stuff
8. Go on dates/pursue other people
9. Avoid social media
10. Browse on dating apps
HOW LONG DO AMERICANS DO THINGS AFTER HEARTBREAK?
Stop looking at an ex’s social media regularly – 5 weeks
Stop crying about the break-up – 6 weeks
Delete the ex’s number – 6.5 weeks
Get rid of all their stuff from your place – 7 weeks
Delete or remove pics of them – 7.5 weeks
Stop talking about them/ bringing them up in conversation – 8 weeks
Start dating someone else properly – 13.5 weeks
AMERICA’S TOP 20 BREAK-UP FOODS
1. Ice cream
2. Pizza
3. Fried food
4. Cake/cupcake
5. Burgers
6. Chocolate-chip cookies
7. French fries
8. M&M's
9. Mexican
10. Cheesecake
11. Chinese
12. Tacos
13. Oreo's
14. Fried chicken
15. Steak
16. Mac and cheese
17. Krispy Kreme glazed donut
18. Apple pie
19. Spaghetti
20. Wings
***This survey of 2000 US adults was conducted between January 19 and January 27, 2017 by Market Researchers OnePoll and commissioned by Yelp Eat 24.
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