Love in quarantine: Online dating and relationship tips
Online dating in the age of coronavirus. The novel coronavirus is currently bringing public life to a near standstill. Most shops and restaurants are closed. Those who can are working from home, and universities, schools, and daycare centers are also closed! We should only go out when absolutely necessary, and social contact is reduced to the bare minimum. Relationships and dating are not spared by the quarantine measures either.
So how is love supposed to work in quarantine? And how can dates take place despite the ban on contact? We have 10 rules for you on how to prevent the coronavirus crisis from becoming a relationship crisis, as well as 10 tips to ensure that you don't get bored in isolation at home, even if you're single.
8 dating tips for finding a partner during the coronavirus pandemic
Out of consideration for our fellow human beings, the message for the whole of Germany right now is: stay at home! Real dates, kissing, and physical intimacy will have to wait for now. But that doesn't mean you have to give up on dating altogether! On the contrary: with these 8 tips, you can still look for a partner even during the coronavirus pandemic:
1. Cooking together via video date
As we all know, the way to a person's heart is through their stomach. So why give up a romantic cooking date because of coronavirus? You can do it via Skype or video call. Simply choose a recipe together and then everyone gets started in their own kitchen. Meanwhile, you can chat or give each other tips on how to prepare the meal. Once the food is ready, you can eat together via video.
The best part: while you might want to avoid dishes with aioli, tzatziki, and the like on real-life dates, you don't have to hold back on a video cooking date. You can only hear and see each other, but not smell each other!
2. Houseparty with a difference
Leaving the house to go out and party? Not really a good idea in times of coronavirus. Nowadays, people go out virtually. This is possible, for example, via United We Stream. Every day between 7 p.m. and midnight, DJ sets from various locations in Berlin are broadcast here.
Great initiative: you can even order a virtual water or beer and donate to your favorite club.
3. Visit the British Museum in London
Who can claim to have traveled to London especially for their first date? And for free, too! On Google Arts & Culture, you can visit 500 museums and exhibitions from around the world online. How about a virtual tour of the British Museum in London or a romantic visit to the Palace of Versailles in Paris?
And if you don't want to go abroad for your first date, many German museums also offer exciting virtual tours.
4. A romantic walk
Going for a walk is also no problem in times of Corona. Instead of walking side by side, simply talk on the phone or video call—it certainly won't hurt the romance. In fact, the different things you both experience and see on your walks will give you new and exciting topics of conversation.
5. Write love letters
A love message via email or WhatsApp is quickly typed, then add an emoji and a few hearts, and you're done! This has little to do with romance, and just as quickly as the message is typed, it is usually forgotten. A real love letter, on the other hand, written by hand, will surely remain in your memory for a long time. Especially in these times, it is particularly valuable to feel that someone cares about you and makes an effort for you.
6. Virtual zoo visit
Even a date at the zoo can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home. Whether it's the penguins at San Diego Zoo, the elephant park at Zurich Zoo, or a tour of Hagenbeck Zoo via Google Street View: the internet makes it possible!
7. From the sofa to the opera
Digital stages. This is nothing new, but it has only really become popular with the coronavirus pandemic.
The Paris Opera's offering, called La troisième scène, is particularly extensive.
8. A chance to really get to know each other
Don't see the current restrictions on going out as a limitation on dating, but as an opportunity to get to know each other better on a personal level. Dating without actually meeting adds an element of excitement and mystery to getting to know each other.
Coronavirus—the perfect opportunity for online dating
Now that meeting up in real life is not possible for the time being, online dating agencies are back in vogue. There are currently a particularly large number of singles online. This means that your chances of finding your dream partner through an online dating agency are also increasing. So if you haven't signed up yet, now is the time! And even if you're already registered, there's plenty to discover:
Edit your user profile
Now is the ideal time for some spring cleaning – including your dating profile. Increase the
attractiveness of your profile by answering more questions.
New profile picture
Or how about a new profile picture? Profiles with a profile picture receive on average 3 times more messages.
Exchange messages
Take advantage of the opportunity to exchange personal messages with other members. “So, how are you coping with coronavirus?” “Are you working from home too?” There's certainly no shortage of good conversation topics to get the ball rolling at the moment. Don't feel confident enough to message someone directly? Then you can start by sending a charming smile or a like.
Relationships in quarantine – 10 rules to make it work
We're staying at home! Finally, you have plenty of time together, which you often lack in your stressful everyday life. What sounds nice and romantic at first can quickly become a real test for your relationship. Spending intense time together in a confined space can cause conflicts to arise between you that you would otherwise be able to suppress in everyday life.
But you don't have to fear an inevitable relationship crisis. If you follow a few rules, spending time together can strengthen and deepen your relationship.
1. Create space despite the closeness
As wonderful as cozy togetherness is, time alone is very important for our mental health. Even the happiest couple needs a little distance from time to time. This may be more than the prescribed 1.50 meters of safety distance at the supermarket checkout.
2. Make conscious use of your time together
The current situation means that you finally have a lot of time together again. This can strengthen and deepen your relationship if you make active use of this time.
Actively means that you don't just sit in front of the TV together and watch the same series (which is of course also allowed), but really engage with each other. How about a card game, for example? Read to each other from your favorite book or redecorate your home together. There are no limits to your creativity here!
3. Communicate clearly
Do you feel that your personal space is too restricted? Or do you feel the need for more closeness and affection from your partner? Right now, it is especially important to communicate your needs clearly and openly.
4. Create a good balance between closeness and distance
As already mentioned, it is now particularly important to make sure that you actively spend time together as a couple, but also have enough time for yourself. The optimal balance between closeness and distance can vary greatly from relationship to relationship and even between partners. It is therefore best to communicate clearly how much closeness or distance is good for you and find a solution that both of you are comfortable with.
5. Introduce daily rituals
When you see each other all day long, the presence of the other person can quickly become taken for granted. To still bring some specialness and romance into your life together, you could introduce daily rituals.
Small things like a long hug or a heartfelt kiss are usually enough. Or how about lighting a candle every evening before going to bed and telling each other about your day? Just think about what kind of small ritual could help you.
6. Stay realistic
“Just the two of us for a long period of time, it's bound to be romantic!” If you approach your time in isolation at home with overly high expectations, there is a good chance that you will be disappointed. A little daydreaming is of course not forbidden, but stay realistic.
It's only natural that the more time you spend together, the more situations will arise where you're just sitting next to each other on your phones or don't have anything to talk about. Recognize that this says nothing about the quality of your relationship!
7. As many social contacts as possible
Of course, the rule still applies: stay at home. But whether by phone, video conference, email, or social media, diverse social interaction has been proven to be good for us humans. Staying in touch with others does not mean that you are avoiding your partner or that they are not enough for you.
Sometimes it just feels good to know that you are not alone during this time, and not just the two of you. Every social contact is true balm for the soul right now.
In these times, think especially of the elderly or those with pre-existing conditions who are completely isolated and particularly need our closeness right now.
8. Don't be afraid of arguments
Even with clear communication, little rituals, and enough space, with so much time spent together, there's a good chance that an argument will arise at some point. Don't be afraid of this! Arguments can also be a positive thing!
While you can often avoid conflicts in everyday life, you now have the chance to resolve issues once and for all and thus strengthen your relationship.
If an argument threatens to become too emotional, it helps if both of you retreat to different rooms for an hour to calm down. Just because you are now living together in a small space does not mean that every conflict has to be resolved immediately!
Happy alone – 10 tips for single people in isolation at home
We all want more time for ourselves. But being single and alone in isolation at home? That's probably not how you imagined being alone.
First of all, it's important to remember that you are far from alone in your situation. Around 17 million Germans live alone. So let's get through these difficult times together. Here are our 10 tips for singles in home isolation:
1. Fitness classes
The gyms may be closed, but that's no reason why your daily workout now has to consist of walking from the sofa to the fridge. Many gyms now offer online classes. Whether it's yoga, Pilates, abs, legs and butt, or even ballet. The range of classes on platforms such as fitnessraum or udemy is huge.
2. Culinary world tour
Travel is probably off the cards for the foreseeable future. But that doesn't mean you have to miss out on that holiday feeling. Pad Thai from Thailand, Italian tiramisu or fiery tacos from Mexico. Instead of traveling, you could simply embark on a culinary world tour in your kitchen. Maybe your friends would even like to join you on a trip from home?
3. Social contacts
Staying in touch with friends and family without leaving the house? Fortunately, this is no longer a problem in 2020. Whether it's video chat, phone calls, email, or maybe even old-fashioned letters, communicating with our loved ones is especially important right now.
In psychology, contact with people we care about is one of the so-called green flag factors. These factors have a positive effect on our health and can even have healing effects in the event of illness!
4. Calculate your toilet paper supply
Let's take the crisis with humor and make the best of it. That's what the developers of this funny website thought too. Simply enter how many people live in your household, how many rolls you still have at home, and the average number of trips to the toilet per day. The toilet paper calculator will then show you how long your supply will last.
5. Write a diary
It is perfectly normal to be particularly emotional in the current situation. Fears and worries are omnipresent right now. Acknowledge your feelings! If you don't feel comfortable talking about it with family and friends, how about keeping a diary? Here you can write down everything that's on your mind and process your worries and fears creatively.
6. Game night
Are your regular game nights with friends on hold for now due to coronavirus? Then why not move them to the internet?
You can play classic games such as Yahtzee, Ludo, bridge, chess, and many more with your friends on PlayOk.
Currently at number 1 in the German App Store charts is the Houseparty app. With this app, you can talk to your friends on the phone and play mini-games at the same time. You can also play Stand Land Fluss or a round of Schafkopf with your friends online.
7. Start a project
Whether it's redecorating your apartment, cleaning out your closet, or sorting through old photos, you probably have a long list of things you've been wanting to do for ages but never got around to. Now is the perfect time to do them! Find a project and make it happen! Time will fly by faster than you can say “corona”!
8. A fixed daily schedule
The current situation is full of uncertainty and unpredictability. How long do you have to stay at home? When can you go back to the office? Recurring rhythms and a fixed daily schedule can be very helpful right now to bring at least a little structure and order to the chaos, if only for yourself.
Make a plan: get up at the same time every day and go to bed at the same time. Fixed meal times or fixed appointments for phone calls can also help.
Additional tip: Whether it's your favorite TV series, a candlelit bath, or a long walk in the fresh air, plan a little highlight for each day that you can look forward to.
9. Netflix night with friends
The “party function” on Netflix allows you to watch the same movie at the same time, even when you're apart. You can even chat with each other via a chat function. All you need is a laptop, a smartphone, a Netflix account, and Google Chrome. Then nothing stands in the way of a movie night or series marathon with friends, even in times of coronavirus.
10. Learn a language
Want to make good use of your time at home? No problem! You could learn a new language, for example. Providers such as Babbel, Duolingo, and Busuu offer courses in English, Spanish, and French, as well as Russian, Polish, Chinese, Arabic, and many other languages.
11. Get involved in social causes
The coronavirus has triggered a huge wave of helpfulness across Germany. Be part of it too!
On portals such as Nebenan.de, you can chat with your neighbors in your immediate vicinity and help them with shopping or childcare.
Harvest workers are also desperately needed right now. April is harvest time for strawberries, asparagus, and cabbage, but due to the coronavirus, seasonal workers, who are mainly foreign, are currently unable to come to Germany. People who are currently unemployed due to the coronavirus can register on the portal Das Land hilft (The Country Helps) and support our farmers with the harvest.
The newsletter “Corona: How can I help?” from the organization GoVolunteer not only provides you with up-to-date information on where help is currently needed in Germany, but also offers links to reliable sources of information.
Still need more inspiration?
Then we have a few more ideas for you here:
Spring cleaning, rearranging your home, redecorating or painting
Read a good book, draw, paint, do crafts
Create photo books or videos of your last vacations
Learn to knit, sew, crochet, or do hand lettering
Listen to podcasts or audiobooks
Go for a walk, jog, or bike ride (alone and at a distance, of course)
Plant herbs or flowers in your home or garden
Clean your bike, car, or scooter
Conclusion: Together, we can make the best of it!
Last but not least: laugh! Whether in video conferences with your colleagues or on the phone with family and friends. Especially in these difficult times, we should maintain our good spirits and positive outlook on life. And unlike the coronavirus, fortunately, this is something that is allowed to be contagious. Share your laughter with others. That's the best way to help each other through this crisis! Together we can make the best of it!
