Dating apps are very much the metaphorical Marmite in the world of relationships – you either love them or you hate them with a fiery passion.

With 8% of British couples having met their partners on one, according to YouGov data, they’re undoubtedly a viable option for singles, if perhaps not the guarantee some users might hope them to be.

That’s where dating app fatigue can start to rear its head.

Dr Becky Spelman, psychologist and founder of the Private Therapy Clinic, says dating app fatigue isn’t exactly rare and cites common causes such as the overwhelming number of options out there, uninspiring and repetitive conversations, ghosting, how much time using dating apps can take out of your day and the disappointment that comes with not finding a suitable partner.

Dating and relationship expert Dr Callisto Adams, who’s worked with Lovehoney to give us her thoughts on this topic, describes dating app fatigue as “a sense of burnout” that comes with using them for a long time without seeing the results you crave.

“You could be on the lookout for a specific type of person,” Adams says, “and you’re counting on dating apps to find them, or perhaps you thought you’d found someone who is of interest, but that turns out to not be the case. As a result, you might continue using the apps in the hope of finding what you’re looking for to the point where you’re just exhausted from the search.”

But remember: the apps are by no means the be-all and end-all. For example, that same YouGov poll says 15% of couples met at work, making that the most common meet-cute of the bunch, followed by meeting through mutual friends (14%) or in passing while out and about somewhere like a bar or a cafe.

With that in mind, to anyone interested in keeping their swiping journey going fatigue-free, here are some tips from these experts on how to persevere with dating apps.

Manage the time you spend on the apps

Adams says: “Setting clear limits on exactly how long you intend to swipe on dating apps can be a great way to manage fatigue. It can be easy to get lost in the surge of swiping, so it’s important to take a step back and be mindful of how much time you’re spending online. When you’re continuously swiping on a dating app, it can become easy to zone out and lose touch with what you truly want from a partner. This can leave you with numerous matches, but none you’d have a genuine interest in. Instead, make sure to stay true to what you’re looking for from a potential match.”

Swerve as much small talk as possible

Dr Spelman says: “Try to have meaningful conversations rather than small talk, and take the initiative to plan offline dates if it feels right. Just make sure you save some topics for the date.”

Limit the number of people you’re speaking to at the same time

Adams says: “When you’re speaking to multiple matches at once, it can become easy to lose track of your conversations. This can result in never truly connecting on a genuine level with one individual. By limiting the number of conversations you’re having at once, you’re able to form deeper connections.”

Manage your expectations from the outset

“Searching for the perfect match can naturally be quite an exciting prospect,” says Adams, “but it’s important to manage your expectations before going into it. Not everyone you match with online will be right for you, and that’s completely OK. It’s essential that you’re not expecting too much from a potential online love prospect so you can avoid any disappointment later on down the road.”

Don’t put loads of pressure on yourself

“Take it easy,” says Adams. “With all things considered, it’s important to not put too much pressure on yourself while online dating. If you’re not enjoying your experience, or you feel it’s becoming too overwhelming, have a break and try to reconnect with yourself.”

Ultimately, don’t worry about taking a break or giving them up altogether

Even with all these tips in mind, remember that dating apps simply won’t be for everyone all the time – and that’s OK!

“Take breaks from dating apps to recharge and avoid burnout,” says Dr Spelman. “Delete them from your phone if you have to. If you are considering giving up on dating apps altogether, explore new ways to meet people. You can join local interest groups, attend more events, or ask your friends to play matchmaker.”

Images: Getty