How Long Does the Honeymoon Phase Last in a New Relationship?

Most relationships naturally progress through three stages. The lust stage, or beginning stage, is when you first realize that you like someone and may want to pursue a relationship. The attraction stage, or honeymoon stage, comes next. This is when you experience lovesickness, that intense phase in which all you can think about is your partner. The third stage, attachment, is the long-lasting stage that serious couples strive for. This is what you have to look forward to after the honeymoon phase, if your relationship withstands the tests of time.

The honeymoon phase is a fusion of the physical and the emotional attraction between two people. This happens when you have played out most of your lust and have truly begun to bond with someone. This phase in a relationship can be intimidating to young adults because it involves feelings that you haven't experienced at these levels. Dr. Joy Davidson reports in her article "So Your Relationship's Honeymoon Phase is Over? Here's the Surprising Good News," that this phase will last an average of two years, six months and twenty-five days. Remember that this is an average, though, so it will vary for everybody, depending on the effort that you put in to keeping your relationship this way.

During the honeymoon phase of your relationship, certain hormones are released in your system that make you feel more alive. According to the BBC article "The Science of Love," Dopamine is released at levels that make you crave more time with your honey. Norepinephrine, or adrenaline, is what makes your heart race when you are together with your sweetheart. Seratonin makes you feel like you may be going crazy. Considering all of the hormones at play, it makes sense how this phase can become addictive and even a bit frightening.

Most relationships for young people end after the honeymoon phase. This isn't always because you aren't compatible with your partner, though. Many times relationships end at this point because, as "Teens Health" article "Love and Romance" tells us, as young adults, we are trying to experience many new things. Another factor in this phenomenon is that many young people don't learn how to fight productively until they develop better communication skills. Learning how to listen to your partner and not just argue can help make this phase last longer. Keeping things new and exciting will also remind the two of you what it's like to be in love.

When your honeymoon phase ends, if you stay together, the attachment stage will begin. This is when you know someone well enough to really feel comfortable with him. You can share your greatest desires and fears with each other without having to worry about being judged. This stage in a relationship is what usually lasts a lifetime. There are many good things about this stage, but some people begin to feel complacent at this stage in a relationship. Keep working on your relationship and it could last decades.