Want A Happier Relationship? Wait Six Months Before Sex

Wait, what day is it?!

Explore His Mind Before You Explore His Body

Giving it up on the first date may sound like a great time in the short run, but if you want this guy to stick around awhile, you may want to hold off on sex. A new study reveals couples who wait to have sex have a better chance at being successful.

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According to a new study from Cornell University, women that waited to have sex for at least 182 days (that's six months ...) reported being happier, were more committed to the relationship, communicated better, and had better sex lives.

The study's authors point to the idea that being committed together BEFORE making the relationship physical allows couples to understand each other better.

"Courtship is a time for exploration and decision-making about the relationship, when partners assess compatibility, make commitments and build on emotional and physical intimacy," the researchers wrote.

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"The rapid entry into sexual relationships may, however, cut short this process, setting the stage for 'sliding' rather than 'deciding' to enter co-habiting unions."

But as Slate.com points out, just because a woman reports being happy with a long-term relationship doesn't mean she is an all-around satisfied person. Besides, the type of woman who would wait that long to have sex most likely already knows what she wants.

"It stands to reason that women who wait so long to have sex are more likely to report satisfaction in traditional relationships than those who don't."

Shockingly, for men the link between waiting for sex and reported satisfaction in a relationship was not nearly as strong.

So what else goes into a great relationship? Check out all the best love and sex news from Limelife.