By Daniela Mercades, Contributing Writer
Nowadays, there is nothing more common than COVID-19 or the fact that it has affected our daily lives and activities. Even the way we date has changed, since meeting new people without COVID-19 measures is a risk. However, relationships and extra-curricular activities are still essential in our lives and they improve our mental health.
With the pandemic having been present for a year now, we must start looking for solutions to regain our happy and ‘‘normal’’ lives. Relationships have become stronger, for some couples who spent quarantine together, but others have taken different paths. Some couples have had to go through long-distance separations due to the shutdowns of cities and countries, which has been a very difficult experience for them.
Whether you and your partner have been trying to stay connected through the pandemic, or whether you just fell in love with someone, it is important to both strengthen your relationship and maintain your health and safety. Here are some date ideas that you can try with your significant other, or even with your friends.
Being outdoors is generally safer because the airborne coronavirus will not get locked up in a room.
One outdoor date idea is to go to a bike trail. Riding along a bike trail is a fun and healthy activity to do with your significant other, and there are some places near Saint Leo University that offer this kind of experience. Hardy Trail, for example, is less than 15 minutes away from University Campus and it is a great place to bike and explore the local area.
Another outdoor idea, for more adventurous couples, is horseback trail riding. There is a place called Choyce LLC, only about five minutes away from Saint Leo, where you can go with your date and have a fun time riding horses.
Another adventurous, outdoor activity for couples is to go camping. Camping can be done at the beach or in a more forested area, where there is plenty of room for social distancing.
Busch Gardens Tampa is also a place that ensures that you are going to have fun on a date. The majority of attractions, including the wild animal enclosures, at this local amusement park are located outdoors, and social-distanced spacing is practiced in lines and on roller coasters. Just be sure to wear your mask correctly, use hand sanitizer frequently, and refrain from touching your face without cleaning your hands first.
For more serene couples, a romantic dinner at home is a nice idea. You can set a spot in your house or room, decorate it with lights and flowers, and either order food or cook a meal together. Do not forget to play some music to set the mood!
If you like the idea of having a romantic meal with your significant other, but staying at home sounds boring, you can also organize a picnic. Bring a tablecloth or blanket, something to eat and drink, and head to Clearwater or another local beach. To make it more aesthetically pleasing, you can include a nice bottle of a favorite drink, flowers, and decorated fruits.
Lastly, Crystal Lagoon is a fun place to spend the day and get a nice suntan. It is an artificial beach that is less than 30 minutes away from Saint Leo and has kayaks, waterslides, and other fun water activities.
There are activities for all kinds of couples—feel free to adjust these ideas to your own preferences so that your date will be more special and comfortable for you and your better half.
