How the ‘Snowmanning’ Dating Trend Could Lead to Sexual Health Risks

If you find a new sexual partner during the winter holidays, take appropriate precautions. Be wary of getting caught in the snow by someone participating in the “snowmanning” dating trend. Otherwise, you risk ending up in the cold or, even worse, ending up with something you absolutely don’t want: a sexually transmitted infection.

The definition of “snowmanning”

Now, “snowmanning” isn’t about hanging out with a real snowman or carrying a corncob pipe and a broom in your hand when you’re in the room with someone. Instead, “snowmanning” is when someone new quickly gets all hot and heavy with you during the winter season only to have all their interest suddenly melt away shortly after. In extreme cases, one can go from barely knowing a person to roasting chestnuts over the open fire with them, so to speak, to then undergoing an icy treatment, all within 24 hours. In fact, “snowmanning” could lead to the other person disappearing completely, as in the case of a ghost or ghost. even while “hiding”.

Casual Sex May Increase During Winter Holiday Season

The folks at eHarmony first popularized this not-so-harmonious term in 2019. This was based in part on a chance observation: that people may be more likely to engage in casual sex during the holiday season. ‘winter. This observation was supported by the results of the Investigating Vacation Connections in Your Hometown conducted by Everlywell, a health testing company based in Austin, Texas. You could say that this survey of 850 singles, aged 18 to 44, caught the attention of the casual viewer. Nearly 60% of respondents said they planned to have casual sex at home during the holidays this year, and 43% reported having more casual sex at home during the holidays than the rest of the year.

There are a number of reasons why casual sexual encounters may increase during the winter holidays:

• The cold: You know how that song from Winter Wonderland says: “Later we’ll conspire and dream by the fire?” Well, huddling for warmth by the fire can lead to other things.
• The holidays can be stressful: I covered for Forbes previously discussed the different ways the holiday season can be stressful. Being angry at family members, the end-of-year slump at your job, or the pressures of shopping can send you into someone else’s arms.
• Vacation can be a lonely time: There are many Christmas songs about loneliness, ranging from “Christmas Is the Saddest Day of the Year” to the classic “Blue Christmas.” Being single while the couples around you are fighting over the holidays can be difficult. Even having a relationship during the holiday season doesn’t guarantee that you won’t be alone or even still in a relationship because of all this.“Scrooging” trend that I described.
• Being in a different place: Traveling for vacation can put you temporarily in a different, less familiar place, which can leave you feeling a little alienated, but also at the same time among new people in a place where you might feel like you have fewer responsibilities .
• Alcohol: Guess what? Holiday Parties can drink a lot of alcohol. And we’re not talking about rubbing alcohol. Here’s another shocker: Alcohol can lower your inhibition and impair your judgment. Who would have believed it?
• Holiday celebrations: Even without alcohol, the holidays themselves can bring new people together in different settings. An innocent game of Twister, for example, can bring some interesting twists and turns, so to speak.

The emotional risks of Snowmanning

Casual sex can be just fine if all parties involved know the agreement and have met shared expectations. As has been said, happiness can reality equals minus expectations. Problems arise, however, when one party expects more than the other. For example, if you think you have met someone potentially for a long time but to that person you are nothing more than a truck stop, there could be emotional fallout on your part, ranging from disappointment to maybe even anxiety or depression.

The physical risks of snowmanning

Besides your head and heart, snowmanning could endanger other parts of your body, including the ones that got you into trouble in the first place: your genitals. Casual sex can put you at greater risk of contracting various sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, viral hepatitis, herpes, HIV, and virus infections. human papilloma. These are gifts that, unfortunately, are likely to continue to be given. You may also find yourself in physical danger if the other person is prone to violence or different types of risky behaviors.

Take Proper Precautions

So even if you’re angry at someone who might say, “Let’s run and have some fun now, before I melt,” you might want to take the following precautions before opening up to the guy snow or any other type of occasional activity. sex elsewhere:

• First get to know the person and their story as much as possible: Knowing the other person’s real name will definitely help. For example, it will give you a name to shout if you are inclined to do so at some point during the night. But it’s usually better to know a lot more than that, like the person’s background and history of sexual risks.
• Be clear about your expectations: Make sure you have honest conversations about what you want, what you really, really want. And in this case, Frank isn’t talking about hot dogs.
• Think before you act: Let’s be realistic. Your genitals aren’t always good at long-term thinking. When considering casual sex, realize what you’re getting into and be aware of the risks. Also ask yourself if the expected momentary pleasure is worth the potential risk.
• Use barrier protection like condoms: Birth control pills and other contraceptive approaches that don’t provide a physical barrier between your two nasty bits won’t protect you against STIs.
• Share STI test results: Don’t be fooled by appearances. There is no such thing as “it looks like he or she doesn’t have an STI.” The only way to know for sure is to get tested for the various possible STIs before any sexual contact.
• Tell your friends about where you’re going: You may not be comfortable letting others know that you’re going to bed with a random person you met at Costco. But things could get even more uncomfortable if something goes wrong and no one knows where you are.

Finally, keep the big picture and the long game in mind. Don’t unnecessarily put yourself at risk for “snowmanning” or STIs just because you feel momentarily lonely, bored, anxious, or stressed during the period. Holidays. Instead, keep the big picture and the long game in mind and keep a clear head. Don’t let your judgment be impaired by too much wine, liquor, bourbon-filled fruitcake, or any other substance without proper safety nets, like having your friends around to protect you. This way you might be able to better tell if the person you’re with is ready to snow.