img @ bridgepics.flickr

“Spanning 30 U.S. cities, the annual survey delivers a wealth of opinions on travel, touching on such hotly debated topics as which cities have the best singles scene, boutique hotels, ethnic food, and smartest residents.”

DatePro is based in San Diego, so we are, by all means, excited to tell you that we made the Yahoo’s list of the top 10 most romantic cities! At number 6 on the list, we can imagine why people would be drawn to our laid-back culture, beautiful weather, and exciting nightlife. The rest of the list goes:

1. Honolulu
2. Charleston
3. San Francisco
4. New Orleans
5. Santa Fe
6. San Diego
7. San Antonio
8. Las Vegas
9. Miami
10. New York

Check out the rest of the list, at Yahoo!

img @ askmen

Ah, Summer. Sunshine, warm weather, longer days, what more could you ask for? Well, you don’t have to ask for anything but you should know that summer’s great assets also give a great boost to your sex and love life!

Here are a couple scientific (and a couple not-so-scientific) reasons your love life’s about to heat up!

1. High temp, less clothes

You don’t wanna spend your summer in a loose sweater and jeans, do you? Hit that treadmill or swim some laps and get on your short shorts (not if you’re a dude, please)… Summer is the season of skin, and while we don’t promote looking, well, Miley-Cyrus’-new-album-ish, a pair of shorts or sumer dress can really turn up the heat.

2. Sun, sun, sun

Along with the heat, the sun brings something else: Vitamin D, which protects against depression and fatigue (not to mention its usefulness against a host of many other diseases). Energetic and healthy? Those are two ingredients for a great dating and sex life!

3. Tons of fun dating opportunities

No longer are you stuck inside at bars or cold movie theaters. With the warm weather finally hear, dates at outdoor cafes, beaches, parks, and other nature adventures are great times to get your romance on.

4. Outdoor sex

Need we say more? Check out the Frisky’s great list of places to get down in the wild outdoors.

5. Don’t worry, be happy!

That’s right, summer is scientifically proven to be a great way to get happy, social, and flirty. In fact, those in live in places without enough sunshine actually experience SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder, a syndrome that actually causes 4 percent to 6 percent of the population to feel as gloomy as the storm clouds in the winter months.

So hop on a surfboard, chat up a cute singleton at the park, and have fun, Summer only lasts so long!

img @ lymenaide

As Americans, we live pretty indulgent lives. We’re very impatient, and usually demand instant gratification. As a rule, we are viewed as fat and lazy and a little selfish. There’s not really much one can do to change that perception, but you can make changes in your daily life that will help you become a healthier, happier, and more attractive. One way to do that is to cut back, on many aspects that we take for granted.

1) Eating

Food and water are requirements, of course, but the way we eat is definitely optional. In his book, In Defense of Food, Michael Pollan gives great tips on how to eat healthily without forgoing delicious food, or ever setting food in the freezer section.

2) Alcohol

Happy Hour should be a treat, something you look forward to after a long week at work or on holidays. Once tossing back drinks loses its “hey, this is fun” appeal and becomes an everyday thing, you know you’re drinking too much.

3) TV

TV is awesome, and some  shows genuinely supplement our lives. Even so, it’s gotten to the point where upwards of 4 hours a day are spent sitting on our couches, when there are so many things in the world to be doing. Cutting back on television will allow you the time to do so much more.

4) Time with friends

We’ve all gotten so used to being constantly entertained and engaged that we’ve forgotten the joys of being alone. Although being surrounded by loved ones is great, taking time to be alone and completely at one with your thoughts is a great way to calm yourself.

5) Spending money

If you’re reading this, you’re probably better off that most of the world’s population. Spending money is your reward for working hard, but sometimes it’s nice to give money to those less fortunate than you. Giving to charity, a family member in need, or even just starting a savings account are all ways that you can show some self-control.

imig @ 123rf.com

If you were to tabulate all the different methods that self-help books use to tell their readers how to live better lives, you’d find about a 100,000 that over lap and another couple thousand that completely contradict each other. So when I come across books that suggest a simpler approach to happiness, it’s always freeing.

Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D, is a writer who fits that mold; her approach to being happy is about as simple as you get. The question she asks to determine your happiness is straightforward: “what and who are we spending our invaluable resources of attention on?”

For the what portion of the question, she says to ask yourself what the main tasks of your days are, from start to finish, and whether they are nourishing or depleting of your mental energy. Of course “work,” a large portion of most of our days, is depleting, but its the things you surround it with, like eating breakfast, going on a run, reading a book, etc, that can equalize your energy levels. Contrast this with rushing out the door, watching TV, eating junk food or drinking too much, etc, that even further deplete you of healthy energy.

As for the who, Dr. Goldstein asks you to take an inventory of the people you spend your life with, and whether they are nourishing or depleting. Perhaps you spend too much time with a friend who actually depletes you of happiness instead of nourishing you, maybe with gossip or negativity. Spending time with people who uplift you can make an extreme change in your happiness.

As you can see, this simple approach to gauging your happiness and stress level is a great way to take a mental overview of your life, and make changes that will help you for the better!

Read more at the Huffington Post

img @ lovetoknow

We’ve all heard the same mantras ever since we were kids… eat healthy, exercise, don’t smoke cigarettes or drink too much alcohol, and yet, we all continue to break all these rules. Unfortunately, one of the only reasons that people take care of their bodies is because they want to look good, as opposed to feeling good and being healthy and living longer. Therefore, those who feel unattractive or unwanted tend to ignore healthy lifestyles because they feel it’s pointless to try.

Luckily, there is an upside. There are so many ties between a healthy lifestyle and your appearance that people tend to believe are far off and impossible. But each and every day, little lifestyle choice will make you more attractive, and more willing to take on challenges of the world.

1) Go out in the sun

We all know frequent sunburns can lead to skin cancer, but being out in the sun for some of the day (perhaps walking your dog, taking a a bike ride to the store, or reading on the porch) can energize you and give your skin a nice glow, which is universally appealing.

2) Veg & Fiber up

A wholly vegetarian lifestyle is not only difficult to maintain, but can actually be detrimental to your health if not properly done. However, adding more vegetables and fibrous foods (beans, seeds, nuts) to your daily meals instead of carbs can help you lose weight without even trying, by keeping your digestive system regular and keeping you fuller throughout the day.

3) Step away from the computer

We at DatePro are fully aware of the attack upon our livelihood that the internet has threatened. Somehow, running outside seems to make the minutes stretch on for days, but sitting on Facebook for 2 hours feels like 30 seconds. Make a bold step and decide to only use the internet for an hour a day. Or, if you work with computers, stay off of them once you get home. You’ll suddenly realize how much more free time you have to try new things, and an adventurous guy or gal is far more attractive than a sedentary one :).

img @ teamsugar

This one’s for the ladies, or for the guys who love those ladies.

We’ve all been that girl, rocking back and forth in the corner because it feels like someone is cheese grating your uterus. And despite their claims, most over the counter cramp medication isn’t all that effective. While I am no hippie, there are some time-tested homeopathic ways to calm the pain of those monthly death cramps.

1. Old School Ibuprofen

I know this isn’t exactly homeopathic, but it still works! Unlike specifically-engineered menstrual cramp medication, regular old Ibuprofen isn’t gonna try and help your bad mood and bloating and headaches, but it just plain does wonders for bad cramps. If you have 800 mg ones, you’re set for the whole day.

2. The Heating Pad

Seriously, amazing. Whether you get cramps in your lower abdomen or back, a heating pad is a cost effective and safe way to treat cramps without having to ingest anything.

3. Poppy tea

When I first read this, I kinda thought the advice was telling me to do heroin, but don’t worry. Ordering poppy seeds is perfectly legal, and the tea you can brew with the leaves is a great pain medication.

4. Hot buttered rum

Not only is this treat delicious and warm, but it’ll give you a little buzz that’ll help with the crummy mood, too!

5. Bananas and Avocados

I’ve heard before that bananas’ high amount of potassium makes them a great cure for the pain of cramps, but guess what. I hate bananas. Luckily I just found out that avocados can do the trick too!

read more at Jezebel

img @ flickr

During tough economic times, it’s nice to have the option to move back home with your parents and save money so that in a year or two, you can have a bundle of money and start your path towards adulthood. However, it seems as though more and more men these days are making a lifestyle choice to remain immature, living off their parents well into their 30s.

A recent Newsweek article by George Will showed some disturbing statistics, that 13% of men between the ages of 25 and 34 are living with their parents (while only 8% of women do). That might not seem like a lot, but in the dating game, that is significant!

When there is a disconnect between the maturity levels of adult-aged men and women, it makes relationships, dating, and even just hooking up less appealing to both sexes: men thinking women are too serious, women see men as unattractive puberty-stricken little boys.

In his article, George Will discusses the popularity of places like Dave & Busters, a “perpetual refuge from adulthood” where men go to drink beer and play video games and generally escape the monotony of, well, growing up.

Let this be a warning to  men who insist on acting like boys: it’s time to be an adult. You can’t go out looking to pull women when you’re still spending your nights playing Call Of Duty until 5 in the morning. While we all appreciate the single life, enjoying adulthood without the responsibility of marriage and parenthood, there is nothing wrong with taking down your Pamela Anderson posters and considering a career outside of a bar.

Growing up means having a little ambition, a little work ethic, and maybe just a tinge of self-reliance. There is nothing more sexy in the world.

img @ theradisson

Whether is be a first date, an interview, or a night on the town, dressing well is something most of us are at least a little concerned with. You don’t want to look underdressed or overdressed, and you especially don’t want to look you’re trying way too hard. Here are DatePro’s tried-and-true fashion rules for various situations.

An Interview

It’s already one of the most stressful positions we humans are put in throughout our lives, without having to worry about what to wear. Which is why you should always keep it simple. Don’t try to accessorize too much or wear something especially loud. Blacks and whites are your friends at this time. And men, button your shirt all the way up! No one wants too interview a guy while trying in vain not to stare at his creepy chest hair.

The First Date

You scoped each other out on AmericanSingles and are about to have your first date, but what to wear? This is the place to show your personality. While you don’t want to look overdone (people can see right through that), showing your unique sense of style can give your date a small sense of your personality before you even say a word. Ladies, don’t be obnoxious with the jewelry, your friend might think it’s cute, but guys are looking for a woman who doesn’t look high-maintenance. And men- avoid the temptation to slather yourself in cologne or after shave. A little goes a long way, and you don’t want to give your date a headache!

A Night Out

Going to a fancy dinner or a night club can be one of the most fun types of nights to dress for. Like going on a first date, you want to let your personality shine through, but in this case there are a few more rules- like, not showing too much skin, and making sure you dress appropriately for your shape. For guys, it’s important to realize that no, you may not wear flip flops, and yes, you should have a collar. I don’t care how fancy your t-shirt is, it’s not okay!

Meeting the Parents

Traditionally, it’s the guy who is always nervous meeting his girlfriend’s parents, but let’s get real. Ladies have a hard time with it too, especially if her boyfriend is especially… er, “close” with his mom. Women should dress demurely but reasonable. It’s not the 1950s and your boyfriends mother is fully aware that you are not a nun. And guys should dress nicely, but not too dressy, because although it may feel like it, it’s not an interview. Also, both should steer clear of wearing too much jewelry or perfume, as it can seem a little off-putting.

In each of these situations, your personality should always outshine your outfit. However, dressing to impress can make or break a date, interview, or night on the town, so always make sure you dress the part!

img @ the sun

Despite the fact that sex is everywhere in the media, there is still a kind of stigma surrounding those who enjoy and take part in casual sex. Whether or not you are okay with the idea of casual dating, there are some reasons why a  sex life (whether you are in a relationship or not) can be good for your health.

1. It improves your immune system

In a recent study, scientists discovered that people who reported having sex twice or so a week reported higher levels of immunoglobulin A, an antibody that can protect the body against sickness, than those who were not having frequent sex.

2. It relieves stress

A healthy sex life has been proven to keep lower blood pressure and improve peoples’ ability to  handle stressful situations.

3. It burns calories

Move over, treadmill! Having sex can burn upwards of 85 calories for every half an hour. While that might not your daily dose of exercise, it’ll at least be a fun way to start the day!

4. It improves your cardiovascular health

While older folks have expressed concern that too much heart-pumping sexual activity might give them a stroke, this is rarely the case, according to English researchers. Out of 914 men that they followed, their frequency of sex was not linked to heart problems. Similarly, studies have shown that a healthy sex life (perhaps one between a couple that met on PrimeSingles) actually reduces the chance of a heart attack in men by almost half!

5. It can reduce prostate cancer risk

This is where it gets interesting. According to the British Journal of Urology, men who reported having five or more ejaculations a week lessened their risk of prostate cancer by a third! We suppose you don’t have to have a sexual partner to reap the benefits of this one, but I’m sure it’s much more fun that way !

Check out more health benefits of sex at WebMD.

img via stayingfitonline.net

You’ve heard it, you know it, you get tired of people trying to shove their healthy mantra in your fa