We live in an increasingly fragmented, digitally-focused world. That makes it challenging to forge real connections with your partner in the offline world. Other things can also get in the way of spending time with one another, too – kids, money worries, lack of time, or just feeling like you can’t think of anything to do together. With so many obligations, should you really carve out time for a regular date night?
Yes, you should. Here’s why.
Why Is Date Night Important?
Why should you bother upending your day to make time for date night with your partner? There are plenty of reasons!
- According to the National Marriage Project, couples with consistent date nights are 3.5 times more likely to classify their relationships as “very happy” than those who don’t have regular date nights with their partners.
- It’s not just about fun – regular date nights improve communication and increase intimacy within your relationship, leading to a greater sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.
- Making time for a regular date night can have positive, lasting effects on your relationship, including reducing stress and strain, according to the National Marriage Project’s report.
- According to The Couples Center, couples who invest in regular date nights report better sexual satisfaction than those who don’t (by 3.3 times for men and 3.5 times for women!).
Sounds great, right? But here’s the catch – what makes a great date night? Another Netflix marathon with microwave popcorn? There’s so much more out there!
What Makes A Great Date Night?
What makes a great date night? Everyone has their own idea, at least to some extent, but there are a few things that apply across the board. The best date experiences focus on allowing you and your partner to have fun, laugh, and grow closer together.
Sounds expensive, huh? It doesn’t have to be! It also doesn’t have to be extravagant and require hours and hours of planning in your already time-starved week. You don’t even have to go out! An at-home date night can provide you with the quality time you deserve together. The best date night ideas are simple, fun, and give you a chance to experience quality time as a couple.
Finally, you have to break out of your normal routine. You want a memorable night, and that means doing something other than coming home and sitting on the couch together while mindlessly watching TV shows that one of you hates.
5 Things You Can Do Today To Plan A Date Night Like A Boss
Planning the perfect date night with your partner may sound daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. It just requires some creativity and a little bit of initiative. You’ve realized the need to get out of the rut, so you’ve already taken the first step! Here are five things you can do today to level up your date nights.
1. Research Your Options And Get Creative
Let your creative juices flow! One of the most challenging things about date night is just figuring out what the two of you can do together. Thankfully, there’s inspiration galore if you know where to look. So, where might that be?
- Explore social media for ideas – Pinterest can be a great resource here.
- A quick Google search can yield some pretty interesting results, too.
Resist the urge to complicate things. Sure, a tropical dance party complete with tiki torches and a limbo bar would be fun, but you don’t always need to go big to have a memorable night with one another.
2. Forget The Plan
Okay, so maybe don’t forget the whole plan, but chances are good that your relationship could do with some spontaneity. The best date nights create unforgettable moments, and those tend to be the ones that aren’t planned out to the Nth degree.
Don’t be afraid to wing it a little. Be flexible and think outside the box. You might be surprised at the increase in both interaction and intimacy with your partner.
3. Now’s The Time
Why wait for date night? What better time than right now? Often, we get bogged down in our notions about what “date night” even means. First, it doesn’t have to happen at night – what’s wrong with a date lunch? Ever consider a romantic breakfast?
Even if both you and your spouse have hectic schedules, you can find random times of day to connect and fuel that romantic fire. You also don’t have to go “out” during your time together. It’s never been easier to have an amazing date night right at home.
4. Fancy, Schmancy!
Sure, you want things to go just right. You have a preconceived idea that date night should include nice clothes, a fancy restaurant, flowers, and all that. Here’s a tip – ditch the fancy in favor of just being with one another and having a blast.
Use the tips we’ve already covered to plan an awesome date night that doesn’t cost a fortune, require you to leave the house, or force you to make reservations.
5. Laughter Heals The Soul
Finally, make sure you find time to laugh together. Yes, a swanky dinner at a top restaurant can be fun. However, it has nothing on the experience of laughing so hard with your partner that you both have to wipe tears from your eyes.
Laughter is incredibly healing. It bridges gaps and brings us closer together. It’s also an incredible way to build intimacy between partners. So, be silly. Tell that terrible pun. Be goofy. Sometimes those experiences can be more romantic than anything else.
Cheers To Your Date Night
Investing in a date night is more important to your relationship than you might imagine. It strengthens your bond with your partner. It also helps keep things interesting and can be a great way to prevent getting stuck in a rut (or getting out of the rut you’re currently stuck in). Date night doesn’t have to require major cash outlays, weeks of planning, or even putting on pants if you don’t want to (we highly recommend pants if you’re leaving home, though).
Take the first step today. Start planning an awesome date night for you and your partner. Your relationship will thank you.
Source:
https://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/sc-television-couples-family-0119-20151230-story.html
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_laughter_brings_us_together
