We feel sexiest in summer–especially when we’re in the sun! | Source: ShutterStock

When do we feel the most sexy? A new study says we feel sexiest in the summer, which goes against everything you hear about us constantly stressing over our bikini bodies!

About 59 percent of us feel sexiest in the summer months of June, July and August–and we’re also the happiest during that time of year. And girls tend to feel more positive vibes in the summer months than guys do.

Science says this may be a reversal of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which affects a ton of people–basically, it means winter, cold and dreary weather bums you out, while sunshine makes you feel a lot better. And the study backs that up: 88 percent of us smile more in the summer and when it’s sunny than we do when it’s rainy or cloudy.

There’s also the added bonus of cute summer clothes: sundresses! Shorts! Tank tops! We have a bit more variety in terms of what styles we rock when the temperatures rise, and that makes us not only happier, but more social–which, in turn, makes us even happier. One expert explained, “Summer probably also has a greater effect on women because they can wear such a variety of clothes. Men tend to spend a lot of time wearing suits or clothes which are essentially uniforms,” psychologist Cary Cooper said. “In the summer women can start wearing all sorts of interesting things and have far more freedom. They can use this to make them feel sexier and better about themselves. Women are more sociable and good weather enhances their opportunity to interact socially–it’s more important to them than men.”

Guys dig summer, too–but not because of what they can wear, but because of what we wear. The guys in the study reported being stoked that girls wear bikinis in public in the summer. (Did they really need a study for that? Really?)

Of course, there’s a downside to that: We report getting whistled at and catcalled more in the summer when we walk around outside, which is really annoying and disrespectful. But apparently not enough for us to wish for winter again!

Do you feel sexiest in the summer? What’s your favorite season? What’s your favorite part of summer time? Does summer weather make you happier than winter or fall? Tell us in the comments!

Another fun part of summer? Summer flings! Find out if yours will last til September.

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