Winter is approaching very quickly and even the craziest of the crazies may find themselves choosing a night in with Netflix over a night out with Burnett’s. Aside from the fact that running around the townhouses in crop tops in 30 degree weather is no longer appealing, what is the cause of this shift in party habits? Cuffing Season!

Rapped about by Fabulous and then defined by Urban Dictionary, cuffing season is “a time where people who would normally rather be single or promiscuous find themselves along with the rest of the world desiring to be cuffed or tied down by a serious relationship”. However, is there really any science evidence behind this phenomenon?

Though it seems like people enter into relationships during these months in the same fashion that bears enter into hibernation, there is no proven scientific evidence behind “Cuffing Season”. In fact, as humans, we have evolved to not have a true “mating” season! So why is it then that people desire to have a special someone during these chilly months?

There may not be a proven scientific reason behind ‘Cuffing Season”, but there are proven social influences that cause the phenomenon. Societal pressures stemming from romantic Christmas movies such as Love Actually, plus one invites to holiday parties, and getting that New Year’s kiss as the ball drops have actually instilled the thought in our minds that we need to have someone to spend the holidays with. Because of this, singles are prone to feeling lonelier in the chilly winter months than they would in the hot summer months. And as a result of this loneliness, people are more likely to “link cuffs” with other singles during this time.

In addition, with temperatures dropping rapidly people find themselves looking for someone to keep them warm-emotionally and physically. Snow days are great, but having someone to spend your snow day with is even better. Urban Dictionary states, “The cold weather and prolonged indoor activity causes singles to become lonely and desperate to be cuffed.”

So, like most college students at this time, if you find yourself choosing a night in over a night out, you might just be a victim of Cuffing Season! But not to fear, this could be the perfect opportunity to “link cuffs” with that cute baseball player in your history class who might also be looking for someone to spend his cold winter nights with!