Unless you're one of the microscopic minority of people who've only had one significant other for their entire lives, chances are you've had at least one bad breakup.
Although ending a relationship can be heartbreaking, we're often reminded it happened for a reason, and it would be in our best interests to never, ever get back together with your former partner.
Although some people believe this would certainly extend to engaging in no strings attached sexual encounters, a study from Wayne State University claims these rendezvouses could actually be good for you.
"We should perhaps instead more critically evaluate people's motivations behind pursuing sex with an ex."
Earlier this month, scientists published a study in the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior that revealed sleeping with an ex won't affect your ability to move on from the relationship - even if you're still pinning after them.
In the first of the two studies, researchers followed 113 participants whose relationships had recently been through a breakup. They filled out a survey on if they still had physical contact with exes and if they still felt emotionally tied-down.
The second study looked at 372 participants and reported on their actual and attempted engagement with their former partners and their level of emotional attachment towards them.
The results showed that the majority of those surveyed were still able to recover from the breakup despite the recurring sexual encounters between them and an ex.
"This research suggests that societal handwringing regarding trying to have sex with an ex may not be warranted," said Stephanie Spielmann, the lead researcher in the study.
"The fact that sex with an ex is found to be most eagerly pursued by those having difficulty moving on, suggests that we should perhaps instead more critically evaluate people's motivations behind pursuing sex with an ex."
Even though Spielmann said it's an imperative subject to research as the "consequences it could have on someone's mental health, how distressed they remain, and whether they are able to move on," other relationship experts disagree with its findings.
"Even if the ending of a relationship is amicable it is helpful to institute a no contact rule."
According to Jessica Cline, a divorce recovery therapist, it's critical to avoid any interactions with a former partner in order to successfully move on from a broken relationship.
"Even if the ending of a relationship is amicable it is helpful to institute a no contact rule," Cline told Business Insider.
"Breakups are a separation! The no contact rule allows space to heal, to envision a future with someone else, and allows for space to become who you need to be."
"When kids are involved in the relationship the no contact rule may not be feasible; however, using the idea of no contact to create boundaries is [a] healthy choice for parents."
So although there are conflicting opinions when it comes to seeing an ex, next time your friends give you advice, it's better to take it with a grain of salt.
[H/T: Mirror, Business Insider]
