Psychologists suggest that there are five stages to love: building, assimilation and honesty.
Researchers at eHarmony discovered that each stage has a different impact upon our psyches and health in a 2014 survey.
1) Butterflies
Couples reported intense infatuation, sexual attraction, and weight loss (30%) and a decreased productivity (39%).
Biologically, it is believed that both men and women produce more of the sex hormones testosterone, oestrogen, during this stage of dating.
More than half (56%) of respondents reported an increase in their libido.
Psychologists suggest that there are five stages to love: building, assimilation and honesty.
2) Building
As the initial attraction subsides, and they learn more about each other, the honeymoon stage ends and the couple starts to build their relationship.
According to eHarmony, around three percent of Britons are currently in stage two of their relationship.
Monoamines, neurochemicals that are released by the body, increase heart rate, trigger intense pleasure, and mimic the effects of Class A drugs.
The biological effect leads to a feeling known as ‘happy anxious’. People can only think about their blossoming relationship.
44% of study participants reported that they had not slept well, while 29% reported that their attention span was affected.
3) Assimilation
Stage three allows a couple to ask whether the’relationship itself’ is right after they have established that the other person is right’.
27% of participants reported that stress levels can rise when there are questions about the future of the union or the need to draw boundaries.
In a 2014 survey, researchers from eHarmony found that each stage of a relationship has a different effect on our psyches as well as our health. Stock image
4) Honesty
Stage three is combined with stage four. This stage, when people are open about revealing the’real’ them, sees the first real rise of stress levels and anxiety.
MailOnline heard that Dr Linda Papadopoulos, a psychologist, explained that this stage focuses on how we all put our best faces together. She also shared the idea of how social media can be used to edit our lives and photos to make it appear like everything is fine.
15% of participants felt more vulnerable and doubtful when they opened up.
5) Stability
If a couple is able to weather the emotional rollercoaster of four stages, the fifth stage, stability, brings increased levels of intimacy and trust.
eHarmony discovered that half of respondents reached this stage, and 23% reported feeling happier.
Vasopressin, a powerful hormone that is released during orgasm by both men and women, strengthens feelings attachment.
Oxytocin, which is released during childbirth, deepens feelings and attachment.
Dr Papadopolous stated to MailOnline, “This is where we can see a real sense of contentment.”
“We found that the body releases wonderful hormones, which help couples bond. We noticed a strong sense of attachment and a feeling of “you’ve got my back and you’ve got mine”.