Couples might want to put little extra effort into their marriage just before March and August every year. Sociologists have identified annual spikes in number of divorces filed in these two months. Researchers from University of Washington analysed data for divorces filed in U.S. state of Washington between 2001 and 2015. There were almost 25,000 divorces filed in state in 2014 alone. The scientists found that over 14-year period of study, divorce rates peaked in August, after summer holidays, and in March, after Christmas and New Year holidays. Some researchers said divorces could be due to financial problems caused by winter and summer holidays.
Researcher Julie Brines suggested that anti-climax felt after build-up to holidays, and holidays themselves, may leave couples feeling stressed and deflated. She said: "People tend to face holidays with rising expectations, despite what disappointments they might have had in years past." She added: "[Holidays] represent periods in year when there's anticipation or the opportunity for new beginning, new start, something different, transition into new period of life. It's like optimism cycle." Couples generally spend more time in closer proximity to each other during holidays, which may actually exacerbate tensions rather than rekindle romance.
