If the dating scene is starting to feel stale, now's the time to switch things up and reenergize your love life. It's easy to get caught up in the same routine — especially with something that can be as daunting as dating. But if you're feeling just plain bored with romance, then take a look at these five quick tips to spice up the dating game:

• Try online dating apps. Organized dating events and Internet dating aren't for everyone, but you'll never know unless you try, right? Get together with a few girlfriends to write up your dating profiles and check out the latest dating apps. You can play around with the addictive social dating app Tinder or ask your pals to try the group-dating service Grouper. Diving in together will make it feel less like a chore — and more like an exciting, lighthearted pastime, which is how dating should feel.
• Look beyond your type. You're not doing yourself any favors by dating the same kind of guy over and over again. Sure, you know your taste, but you may surprise yourself, so try to be open-minded. Make this the Summer you lounge in a park across town, get drinks at a bar that's a little out of your way, and meet a new crowd.
• Ask a guy out. Don't feel like you have to sit back and wait for him to come to you. Asking a guy out may seem terrifying, but even if it doesn't go as planned, you'll gain a fresh perspective and hopefully feel a bit bolder next time you're approached.
• Agree to meet your friend's friend. It's easy to brush off your friends when they insist that you meet so-and-so's brother's roommate's cousin, but who knows? He might just be a great guy, so don't cut yourself off from those fun opportunities.
• Make it a double. Next time you're asked out, bring along a single friend and ask your date to do the same. Even if sparks don't fly, you're guaranteed to have fun with your girlfriend — or at least laugh about it later.

If you've ever wondered how hookups affect you, what people think of playboys, or whether "booty calls" have guidelines, then rest easy knowing science has the answers. With the help of a few studies, we're taking a look at what research says about casual sex. Most recently, the media has been following a strain of gonorrhea that was called "worse than AIDS" — a reminder that casual or not, it's still important to practice safe sex. Curious about what science has to say about sex? Take a look at these surprising findings on everything from women's sexual power to the real meaning of "friends with benefits"!

College Hookups Are Good For Women
Feeling bad about your no-strings-attached relationship in college? Don't! In 2011, researchers at North Carolina State University found that casual sex allows women more sexual power than classic dinner dates. The study doesn't look down on dating or promote reckless hookups, but the data shows that in casual-sex situations, students are more open to women taking the sexual lead, while in more formal dating environments, they slip into traditional gender roles.

Guys Get the "Slut" Label Too
It looks like no one's free from sexual judgment these days. Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago studied data from over 19,000 college students and found that about half the subjects lose respect for anyone who has sex with "lots of people" — regardless of gender. Findings showed that 48 percent of students judged men's and women's sexual activity equally, 12 percent judged women more harshly than men, and 13 percent judged men more harshly than women.

Casual Sex Has Rules
A researcher at the University of Ottawa found that there's a specific code to identify different sexual relationships. Looking at people ages 18 to 27, she found that the four most popular casual sex terms are "booty call," "friends with benefits," "one-night stand," and "f*ck buddy." Each term has a different meaning — for instance, a "booty call" usually involves a late-night text, while "friends with benefits" involves two people who were friends first.

There's no magic recipe for self-confidence, but there are certainly a few everyday habits that can set you on the right path. Whether you're stressed, overcommitted, bored, or simply insecure, we've come up with some quick tips to help you boost your self-esteem and maintain a positive attitude. Struggling to feel good about yourself? Here are 11 simple ways to love yourself more:

1. Surround yourself with positive people. Moods and attitudes can be contagious, so if you're hoping to boost your self-esteem, it's important to keep confident company. Steer clear of the Debbie Downers: people who are constantly rattling off their insecurities will only prompt you to acknowledge yours.
2. Be a planner. Organization is key to feeling good on a day-to-day basis, so do what you need to do to stay on top of your schedule. Rushing around, running late, and missing deadlines puts you on the fast track to anxiety, but you can avoid these common culprits by simply tackling your to-do list.
3. Make time to do the things you enjoy. To be your best self, you need to set aside plenty of time for the hobbies and passions that fulfill you. Whether it's long walks, a good book, or a few minutes of art each day, you need to prioritize the simple pastimes that put you at ease.
4. Get plenty of Z's. If you're exhausted and run-down, your mood — and your confidence — is sure to plummet. You need energy to be social and productive, so try to avoid burnout by balancing your work with plenty of R&R.

Keep reading for more confidence-boosting tips.

Plenty has been said about how and why women orgasm, but which claims have the research to back them up? Collecting results from recent studies, we're highlighting the juiciest facts about the big "O." Take a look at these surprising finds to learn what makes for better sex, what you can do to prompt your body, and more:

Yep, Size Matters
Based on a 2012 study conducted by Stuart Brody, a psychologist at the University of the West of Scotland, it seems that size does matter when it comes to women who experience vaginal orgasms. Although the size issue has sometimes been attributed to cultural pressure and internalized stereotypes, it's a fact: women do climax more easily with men who have larger penises, preferring 5.8 inches or more.

Women Have Premature Orgasms, Too
Think it's only men who can come early? Not true — women also experience premature orgasms. A 2011 Portuguese study found that 40 percent of women came more quickly than intended during sex, and for 3 percent of women, it's a chronic issue.

Better Communication Leads to Better Sex
Looks like there's a case against "no strings attached" sex — a 2011 study at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health revealed that sex is far more enjoyable for people who listen, understand another person's emotions, and empathize with their partner.

Read on for more of what studies say about orgasms.

When you're not so into your friend's other half, it can wreak havoc on your relationship — and theirs. If you don't handle it the right way, then it can be an awkward, sticky situation, so it's important to take a step back and deal with the issue. Not a fan of your friend's guy? Learn how to deal with these five helpful tips:

• Decide whether it's just you. Think about why you have a problem with him. Is it something small, like an annoying habit? Are you just jealous of the time they spend together? Or is it an issue with how he treats your friend? If it's just you, then you need to work it out on your own, but if it's a bigger problem, then talk to another friend to figure out the next step.
• Consider their connection. Your friend is dating him for a reason, so take a step back to evaluate their relationship. What does she see in him? Which qualities does she gush about most? Think about why he's good for her, and let that be the foundation of the friendship you build with him.
• Find common ground. You have your friend in common, so chances are there's something you two can relate on. Ask your pal what he's into, learn more about his past, and when you're at the same event, strike up some small talk to see if you have any shared interests.
• Make a real effort. If he feels like you aren't a fan of his, then he definitely won't be himself when he's around you. Make a point to reach out and initiate one-on-one conversations so that he can feel more comfortable — that way, his best, most genuine self can shine through.
• Know your boundaries. Love him when it's a small group but can't stand him at major events? Recognize when and where you feel most at ease with him, and steer your friendship in that direction. If your friend is really into him, then he'll probably be around for a while, so it's important to define boundaries that work for you.