5 Tips For Singles: Turn the Holidays into Holi-dates!

Pepper Schwartz, Ph.D. Says 'Tis the Season to Find Someone!

SEATTLE, Nov. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- If you are a single person, you're about to face the official launch of the holiday season, which starts the day after Thanksgiving. Yes, mistletoe, numerous parties and even a New Year's kiss at midnight. But, before you shake your head and say, "the holidays are not for me," take a few "holi-dating" tips from PerfectMatch.com, the premier online relationship site with almost three million members.

"Admittedly holidays can be hard if you don't have a special someone to share them with," says Pepper Schwartz, Ph.D., the leading internet relationship authority and tenured professor at the University of Washington. "But, holidays also bring out the best in people -- the joyous, generous, celebratory side. This is an especially good time to think about who you are as a person. Remind yourself you are special, and another loving heart will be attracted to yours.

"There are so many opportunities for singles, it shouldn't be a sad time of year," added Dr. Schwartz, recipient of the 2005 national award for the Public Understanding of Sociology by the American Sociological Association.

So, what is the best way to combat the single holiday blues? Although the following five tips from Dr. Schwartz can be applied throughout the year, she believes they are particularly useful during the holidays:

Don't buy into the negative self talk. Most importantly, it's not bad to be single. The holiday season is a good time to be grateful for your blessings and good qualities. When you're confident about your own gifts, you'll be able to use your strong points to attract other people.

Be a successful single. A future life partner only enhances who you are. They do not "complete" you. Understand you do not need another person to make your life whole.

Change your thinking! Friendship is about quality, not quantity. If your relationship life is in the doldrums, it's time to expand your own horizons. This means abandoning the bars and relying on friends to help you meet interesting people. If you are a serious adult, interested in a serious relationship, it's time to try an online relationship site. Millions of people have met this way, and they all can't be wrong!

Put the focus on you. This holiday season, get into the spirit of the season by using the next few weeks as a time to focus on your own life. Taking time to understand your own needs and figure out what is missing from your life, can give you a better handle on what you need from someone else.

Socialize! Don't you find people are more responsive during the holidays? Well then, it's a very opportune time to perfect your ability to be friendly.

"Being single during the holidays can be difficult, but it doesn't have to be traumatic," concludes Dr. Schwartz. "Anticipate bumps in the road and make certain you are at your most calm, centered and radiant when you do go out to meet people. This is a joyful time of the year, offering an opportunity for a fresh start. Keep an open mind about your relationship possibilities, have fun and be hopeful for the future!"

ABOUT PERFECTMATCH.COM(TM)

Leading the online relationship destination industry with over 2 million members, PerfectMatch.com(TM) (www.PerfectMatch.com) was founded by the team that pioneered online dating. The foremost authorities in relationships on the Internet, the PerfectMatch.com team previously built and managed Kiss.com/uDate.com to over seven million members leading up to the sale to InterActiveCorp (Match.com) in 2002 for $150 million.

PerfectMatch.com(TM) is for adults looking for lasting, meaningful relationships. It is the only site to offer the Duet(R) Total Compatibility System, co-developed by internationally renowned relationship authority, Pepper Schwartz, Ph.D. Based on over 30 years of research, Duet(R) provides members with a leading-edge assessment and scientifically-based approach designed to assist adults in finding others looking for real love and commitment. PerfectMatch competes with Christian-oriented eHarmony.com(R) in the online relationship arena.

PerfectMatch.com(TM) has forged partnerships with world-class brands including Dr. Phil, MSNBC, Lifetime Television, iVillage, Knight Ridder, Go.com, Warner Bros., Paramount and NBC Universal Studios. In January 2006, the newest book written by Dr. Schwartz, "Finding Your Perfect Match" (Penguin), arrives in bookstores nationwide. SOURCE MarketRange

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