There’s something enviable about couples who’ve found each other and are enjoying all the benefits of a long-term relationship. It’s an idea most people aspire to, yet relationships can be a minefield, causing all kinds of distress and heartbreak on your way to finding Mr. or Ms. Right. If you’re single and would like to find your soul mate, is there anything you can do to improve your prospects? The good news is there are actually quite a few ways you can help yourself find your perfect match.

1. Be true to yourself. If you pretend to be something you’re not, you won’t find the right person because you’ll be projecting a false image of who you are and what you’re like. You may get dates, but they probably won’t be with people who are going to be a good match in the long term.
2. Knock off the rough edges. This might sound contradictory to point one, but it isn’t. You don’t need to change who you are to make yourself more appealing, but you might want to consider whether some of your bad habits could take the shine off for a prospective mate. Personal hygiene is also a key attribute