Since its debut in 2002, ABC's reality show The Bachelor​ has evolved into a global phenomenon, but behind that dramatic quest to find one's true love, there are a lot of extreme rules contestants have to follow for a chance at their happily ever after.

Bachelor contestants agree to completely disconnect from the outside world, meaning they also can't contact friends or family while they're being filmed. As ABC News reported in 2010, contestants are banned from watching television or using their phones or laptops in the house. Season 13 contestant Melissa Rycroft said,

"It's kind of shocking because for the first few days you're going through withdrawal of everything in your life. And it definitely feels like a bubble."

According to bachelor Jake Pavelka, the supposed goal of forced isolation is, quote, "cutting away, just the crud that the world inundates you with, that makes a relationship tough."

In 2017, The Verge examined how the contestants keep themselves busy in lieu of screen time. Season 17 contestant AshLee Frazier said the only book allowed during her tenure in the house was the Bible, though other contestants said they were allowed to bring some forms of printed content, just not magazines. Contestants also revealed that they whiled away the hours between dates with approved activities such as exercising, strumming guitars, and playing games.

Watch the video for more Rules The Bachelor Contestants Are Forced To Follow

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Kiss the outside world goodbye | 0:20

Giving the bling back | 1:20

Declining a date is not an option | 2:09

Expecting payment? Too bad | 3:24

Test your mettle | 4:26

Hope you weren't hungry | 5:06

Hidden cameras and mics | 5:57

Keep your mouth shut | 6:48

Don't expect to booze it up | 8:00

Prepare to travel light | 9:19

Press, press, and more press | 10:37