With the pandemic, dating life has changed. People are anxious about their health and safety, and are trying to do everyday activities while making sure that they practice social distancing.
Large amounts of single people are saying that the pandemic has made them more lonely, isolated, and swirling in negative thoughts.
Couples, on the other hand, are experiencing communication difficulties, are feeling suffocated by the other, are having relationship problems, and overall, less positive emotions. Marriage counseling and couples therapy can help partners find understanding, acceptance, and closeness. But, all that starts with the couples’ willingness to work as a team, against the problems they have.
So, it’s time to get creative and find enjoyment while promoting closeness and togetherness.
For the first few dates, while you still aren’t sure if it’s a good idea to physically get together with your date, video call dates are a great way to get to know each other. But, when it comes to taking things to the next level and meeting in person, you still need to make sure that you stay safe.
Long-term lovers and married couples can boost positive emotions through relationship counseling, but also by doing date nights to spice things up and revive feelings of love, affection, and closeness.
So, here are some ideas of dates you can do, while practicing social distancing. These ideas are suitable for both couples that just started dating, and those that have been married for years.
Drive-in Movies
One great way to spend time with a love interest of yours is to go to drive-in movie theaters. If you want to be safe through social distancing, a car can be a safe place for you to relax. You’ll still get to hold hands with your significant other, or comment on the movies’ plot while being sure that you have your privacy and safety.
If you want to go a step further, you could make a homemade movie theater, from your or your dates’ living room. Set the atmosphere by lighting some candles, making a cozy sitting area, and cooking something easy and tasty to enjoy the evening. If you and your partner live together, getting everything ready can also be part of the date. Organize, give ideas, and split responsibilities, which will surely make you feel like a team again.
Spend Time in Nature
Another great date idea is a picnic in the park. You could bring some homemade food and beverages and enjoy a couple of hours out in the sun. If you aren’t the cooking type, you could order take-out and head to the park. Feel free to bring a remote speaker, jumping rope, board games, tennis equipment, or whatever you like to do as an activity. Another idea could be hiking or even camping.
If you are out in the open, you can practice social distancing, while still being able to enjoy things together. If you are uncomfortable, you can sit on different blankets, sleep in different tents, and even drive to the place in different cars. Whatever you and your date, are comfortable with.
The key thing is to openly talk about your feelings, concerns, comfortable proximity, and so on. When you express what you are comfortable with, and when you know what the other person is comfortable with, you can find an activity that works for both of you.
This idea also applies to lifelong partners. Going on a picnic, or camping for a night will be some quality time spent with your partner, while leaving worries, problems, and anxieties aside.
Online Virtual Tours or Experiences
The last idea is turning to the internet. With the lockdowns and the restrictions we’ve encountered in the last year, people are turning to the internet for entertainment, now, more than ever. With that said, a lot of world-famous museums are offering their virtual tours free of charge, or for a small fee. So, you can enjoy touring around museums and “visiting” places from the comfort of your home.
Another activity on the rise is Airbnb Online Experiences, where different hosts are taking you into different kinds of activities. You can see the everyday life of a farmer in New Zealand Highlands, take a Latin dance class, cook or bake something, and do virtual touring around historical places. Feel free to explore the site and decide what activity you want to do. Both you and your date can join from the comfort of your home, or you could get together and join from one laptop.
For marital partners, this gives the chance to do something different and new, while including the whole family, or not leaving the house after an exhausting day. These kinds of activities can relax you and give you something interesting to engage in.
Ending Words
Dating continues to be one of the most important things for people while keeping health risks in mind. Both singles, trying to find their significant other, and people that have been dating for years now, need good dating ideas during the pandemic.
If you are new partners and are looking for some ways to make dating interesting, why not do movie nights, spend time in nature or explore internet-based virtual tours? All of these things can be a great way to learn something new about each other while staying safe.
For partners that have been together for a long time, I would suggest a visit to a relationship therapist. Problems tend to pile up, and if they aren’t resolved, with time they just add to negative feelings and impatience. With all the stress that the pandemic brought, the relationship might become a venting place, which only worsens things. Talking with a marriage counselor, and trying to relax by organizing date nights, will help partners to rediscover their love and affection for one another.
Start Counseling for Relationship Issues in Baltimore, MD
If COVID-19 has exacerbated existing relationship problems, couples counseling may help improve your relationship. Our couples therapists would be honored to help you and your partner reconnect. To begin, follow these simple steps:
- Reach out to us using our appointment request form.
- Get connected with one of our inclusive couples therapists.
- Begin feeling more in tune with your partner than ever before.
Other Services Offered at New Connections Counseling Center in Baltimore, MD
In addition to couples counseling, New Connection’s Counseling Center offers individual relationship counseling and trauma therapy. Our therapists serve a variety of populations, including men, women and college students. Further, if you have found yourself in the midst of a major life transition, our counselors would love to walk alongside you in that. And, we can meet with you wherever you are in Maryland with online therapy. Wherever you are in life, our inclusive therapists want to help.
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