6 Weird Things that Affect Your Relationship

Recently, research revealed that how much sleep you get (or don't) majorly affects your bond with your guy. But a lack of shut-eye isn't the only thing that can sabotage your love life. Here are six more weird factors-all backed up by scientific studies-that can totally eff with your relationship.

By Natasha Burton

1. Your Weight
Looking at nearly 200 newlywed couples, the University of Tennessee found that both men and women are more satisfied in their relationships when the woman's BMI was lower than the man's. While the study ruled out other factors like depression and income, which could have skewed the results, these findings are certainly not a reason to drop pounds. After all, the happiest relationships are those when both partners love and accept each other at any size, right?

2. Your Guy's Parents
According to a study at the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research, couples have a 20 percent higher chance of breaking up when a woman is BFF with her guy's parents. So, if you're not super close with your man's mom... that might actually be a good thing.

Related: How to Keep Your Relationship Hot

3. Your Commute
Slogging through traffic morning and night seriously ups your stress levels-which in turn can totally affect your home life, according to research from Umeå University in Sweden. In fact, the risk of breaking up increases 40 percent if you have to commute to work every day.

4. Your Contraception
Taking the Pill helps prevent pregnancy-and maybe breakups as well. According to one study, women who were on the Pill when they met their partners are more likely to remain in their relationships than those who weren't. The reason? Researchers concluded that those not on the Pill tend to judge potential boyfriends by more superficial qualities-like how good looking and good in bed they are-causing those relationships to end quicker.


5. Your Cell
Obviously, texting your mom while your guy's trying to tell you about his day is beyond rude, but the University of Essex found that your smartphone can put a damper on your relationship even when you're not using it. Couples who had heart-to-hearts with their cells nearby reported that they felt less trust in (and empathy from) their partners.

6. Your Dog
A U.K. study found that owning a pet might screw with your dating life. After surveying single men and women about how they'd feel dating someone with a furry friend, a whopping 28 percent said they'd never shack up with a dog owner. Lame sauce.