The coronavirus pandemic has had a major impact on all aspects of life. From our relationships, friendships, and social lives to our careers and finances, the way we live our lives and the choices we make on a daily basis have been affected.
The coronavirus has also significantly changed dating due to social distancing, restaurant and bar closings, quarantines, and anxiety about germs. It’s taken away opportunities for IRL (in real life) meetings and dates, causing singles to come up with creative ways to date and get to know each other.
Pre-coronavirus, you may have taken for granted that you could easily meet many singles through online dating or being out and about. Your norm may have been to set up multiple dates a week or to use activities, such as going to the gym or joining a club, to meet new potential matches.
If you are single, you may be wondering how to keep up with dating despite the many restrictions, changes, and fears the COVID-19 outbreak has caused. So, how can you ensure your love life doesn’t suffer while you are spending more time at home and limiting in-person social interactions?
Here are five tips to help you navigate dating during the coronavirus pandemic:
1. Use Dating Sites & Apps to Build Connections
Multiple news sources have reported that dating sites and apps have seen a major increase in messages being sent in cities that are under shelter-in-place mandates. These platforms are also reporting a spike in overall usage as more people are stuck at home, so now is a great time to join.
Isolation and social distancing may present challenges and reduce in-person dating experiences. However, making use of dating sites and apps is a valuable strategy to help you continue to “meet” potential matches. Online dating can also help offset any loneliness you feel by keeping you connected to others and engaged in conversations.
Also, take advantage of features, such as Tinder’s Passport feature, which allows you to swipe on profiles all over the world. It’s free until April 30.
These are a few of our favorite dating sites and apps:
- Relationships: Fun Dates, Serious Relationships
- Match System: Browse by location, age, interest, and more
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About the App:
Available via the App Store and Google Play, Match is a fantastic app for dates and relationships. With a user base of 30 million singles, Match is where you’ll have a high chance of success. It’s free to download, create a profile, search for date prospects, and receive compatible matches based on personalized preferences. Free members can also chat with select members and send unlimited likes.
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
Match has been around longer than any other dating platform, and it offers a variety of ways to meet and communicate with like-minded people.
EliteSingles
This Offer is No Longer Available
EliteSingles caters specifically to college- and university-educated singles, and, according to the site, 90% of its users are looking for a long-term relationship.
Zoosk
This Offer is No Longer Available
Zoosk was one of the first dating sites to create a complementary app, and it’s been paving the way in terms of the best technological features ever since.
2. Schedule Virtual Dates & Take Advantage of Technology
After using dating sites and apps to make introductions, schedule virtual dates through video and phone. Dating through technology will give you the chance to assess compatibility and connection while staying safe and preventing further risk.
While it’s natural to want to meet in person as soon as possible and feel frustrated that you can’t, prioritizing your safety and health above all is more important right now. Don’t forget that the current situation is temporary.
In the meantime, you can still have fun and build a solid foundation through virtual dates. Plan a virtual dinner or digital coffee date or take part in an activity you can both participate in from your homes.
Don’t forget to get ready for the date and put effort into your appearance so that you can show up as your most confident self.
If you met in person or online prior to the pandemic, you can also utilize digital dating methods to keep your connection going and increase feelings of intimacy while you hold off on scheduling regular in-person time together. Remember, just because you can’t see each other consistently or go out on real dates doesn’t mean your relationship has to end.
3. Prioritize Building Emotional Connections
I suggest that you focus on building an emotional connection while being patient and avoiding hookups.
The changes to your social life during the coronavirus crisis may have you feeling especially lonely and isolated. You may feel dating isn’t worth it because in-person time isn’t the same or as easy to navigate with so many risks and restrictions. You may feel anxious about getting sick, spreading germs, or the uncertainty of life in general.
Sometimes the most stressful situations can bring people closer together.
While all of these feelings are natural, they don’t have to hold you back from dating if you are willing to build an emotional connection prior to a physical one and put off meeting up.
In fact, you may surprise yourself with how bonded you feel when you share your feelings and connect during this stressful time. Being vulnerable during times of crisis can actually lead to higher levels of trust and cooperation, and stressful situations can bring people together. Maybe now is the perfect time to find love, even if it looks different than expected!
4. Take Care of Your Mental Health
The coronavirus pandemic has taken over all aspects of our lives. To ensure it doesn’t take a serious toll on your mental health, it is important to take care of yourself. When you experience anxious or fearful thoughts, take deep breaths and focus on what you can control, such as washing your hands, Facetiming with your loved ones, limiting news and social media exposure, and cooking a healthy dinner.
You can also allow yourself to grieve the loss of normalcy, in-person connection, and other things you may have taken for granted while bringing gratitude into your focus. Don’t be afraid to seek support through video or phone therapy with a mental health professional. Be patient and gentle with yourself as you find your way during this anxiety-provoking time.
5. Be Proactive & Use This Time To Reevaluate What You Want When It Comes to Love
If you’ve noticed big questions such as “What gives my life meaning?” “What are my values?” and “Which relationships are important to me?” popping into your head, you are not alone. In fact, life’s crises, such as this pandemic, impact the way we think and relate to others and lead us to deeper self-discovery.
Therefore, you may find yourself contemplating your values and decisions as you are forced to make changes to your daily life, dating included. Use this time to evaluate what you ultimately want when it comes to love and be open to changing your mind.
This is a great time to really think about your dating and relationship goals.
For example, you may have previously thought that dating wasn’t important to you because you believed there was plenty of time to meet someone. Now the uncertainty and loss you feel actually motivates you to want to take action. Or maybe you placed a high value on dating someone who did well financially, but now you realize that emotional availability in a partner is more desirable, especially during such chaotic times.
Without judging yourself, take inventory of what you want out of your love life and find ways to create it in the present and commit to it in the future.
Coronavirus Has Changed the Dating Landscape, But We Can Get Through This
There is no sugarcoating the fact that the coronavirus pandemic has changed the dating landscape. However, if you are willing to change up your approach and get creative, it doesn’t have to prevent you from virtually meeting others. It may be disappointing to have to decrease in-person contact, but if you stay positive and take action, you don’t have to put off finding love.
