Keeping the romance alive doesn’t always come easy during stressful times. The current situation in the world feels uncertain, but perhaps we can look at it as a gift from the universe. We have more time to spend with our families, a break from work (depending on your situation), and time to reflect on our lives. With all this extra time on our hands, we can give more time and energy to the people in our lives who matter to us.
Of course, not everyone gets to have time off work, and we understand that everyone’s situation looks different. However, no matter what you’ve been through during this challenging time, you can always keep the romance alive in your relationship. You don’t always have to fly off to an exciting destination or plan an expensive date to rekindle the flames in your relationship.
Most people just want to know that you love and care about them, and even the smallest gesture can make a big difference. Below, we’ll go over how you can keep the spark lit in your relationship during difficult times.
Here are ten ways to keep the romance alive during stressful times:
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Show your love in little ways.
Studies prove that small gestures in relationships mean more than even verbal expressions of love. Researchers found that people showing compassion topped the list of what made people feel the most loved. So, if you want to keep the romance alive during these stressful times, try these things out:
- send them a loving text saying you miss them while they’re away at work
- make them breakfast in bed on the weekend (pancakes are always a winner!)
- do chores for them after they’ve had a hard day at work
- make their coffee before they wake up in the morning
- hear them out after a long day, and put away all distractions
You can make these gestures at any time, but they mean so much more when stress creeps up in life. Showing love helps to lower stress levels, which will help you both ride the waves of life more smoothly.
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Ask your partner if they need anything from you.
Sometimes, the best way to keep the romance alive during stressful times comes down to asking questions. People just want to feel heard and understood, and they may not always tell you upfront how they think. Be willing to dive deep and ask your lover the problematic questions. Open the conversation up so they feel comfortable sharing any concerns and worries they may have.
You may feel like you know your partner inside out, but you can always learn something new about them. Simply asking if you can do anything for them during this challenging time can make them feel extra loved and cared for, especially if they’ve recently lost a job or had other difficulties.
Your partner will especially appreciate that you’re willing to go the extra mile for them and help carry some of their burdens. You can ask some of the following questions to open up the dialogue:
- Do you need any extra help with anything during all this?
- I know this is a stressful time for everyone, but I want you to know I’m always here for you.
- Is there anything you want to get off your chest?
Also, make sure you share your feelings with your partner as well. You should practice open communication at all times with your partner, but especially now as the whole world deals with this unprecedented event.
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Keep the romance alive by connecting physically.
When life gets stressful, connecting physically doesn’t always cross people’s minds. After a long day of work, sometimes you just want to lay in bed and have alone time to recharge. However, physical intimacy will help keep the romance alive in your relationship as well as lower stress levels. You don’t always have to have sex to foster a physical connection, either.
Here are some other ways to connect physically:
- Kiss
- Cuddle on the couch
- Hold hands while doing errands/taking a walk.
- Give each other a massage.
- Take a trip down memory lane together.
Thinking about the happy memories you’ve shared can help strengthen intimacy and connection in your relationship. During stressful times, it helps to disconnect from the situation for a bit and pull out some old photo albums or laugh about the good times.
By reminiscing on the good times, you’ll remember that nothing bad lasts forever and that better days lie ahead of you.
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Plan a date night (this can be inside the house as well).
Since many of us have extra time together, why not plan a fun date with your partner? You don’t have to go to a fancy restaurant or have a wild night on the town, either. Even though you already eat dinners together most nights, make sure you spend time connecting and helping each other relieve stress by talking things out.
You can always make it fun by bringing out a white tablecloth and creating a romantic setting with candles and roses. You could also do it old school and pretend you’re kids again – make a blanket fort, bring out some fun snacks like popcorn and candy, and cuddle together while you watch your favorite show.
Get creative! When it comes to date ideas to keep your romance alive even during stressful times, the possibilities are endless.
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Make dinner together.
Nothing feels more romantic than creating something together, especially when you can eat your creation! Pull out some recipe books or look up ideas online, buy the ingredients, and have a fun night making the perfect dish together. No matter what kind of cuisine you prefer, you can find endless ideas on recipe blogs, foodie Instagram accounts, or YouTube channels.
This makes the perfect time for everyone to enjoy meals more at home together, just like the good old days. Plus, you’ll probably save money and calories by cooking at home, so it’s a win-win for everyone!
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Have a board game night.
Everyone loves board games, and figuring out puzzles or solving silly riddles helps relieve stress as well. If you want to keep the romance alive, try pulling out those dusty games from your closet and get lost in a fun night of laughter with your partner. Whether you enjoy card games, physical games like Twister, or classic children’s board games like Chutes n’ Ladders, make it fun by offering a prize for the winner.
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Go camping together.
You can choose your backyard or your living room, but either way, make sure to get all the essentials. Make smores over a fire or your stove, tell scary stories, cuddle up in the tent with Netflix, and if you’re outside, you can stargaze together. Keeping the romance alive doesn’t have to cost a lot of money or involve anything complicated; just make it fun and enjoy your time together. Camping makes an excellent opportunity to connect with your loved one, and being cozy in the tent together will make it feel like all the problems in the world just melt away.
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Plan a vacation.
Just thinking about sipping cold drinks on a beautiful exotic beach will lift your spirits and make your problems seem a million miles away. Why not use the downtime to plan your next fun trip together? You don’t have to plan something extravagant; it can even be a camping trip an hour away or a stay at bed and breakfast in a town near you.
While you’re stuck inside, use your imagination to propel you to better days and create fun memories with your beau in the future. Sometimes, planning the trip is even more exciting than going on it, so throw all your ideas out there and choose something you will both enjoy!
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Create a private spa in your home.
You don’t need all the expensive equipment they have at spas; you can just use what you have at home. Give each other massages with a massage oil of your choice (rose or lavender works well), take a warm bubble bath together, and pull out the champagne or wine for full relaxation.
Massages help lower stress, so this makes a perfect way to keep the romance alive and induce feelings of relaxation.
Final thoughts on keeping the romance alive during stressful times.
It doesn’t take a lot of money or resources to create beautiful memories with your partner. You can have a fun time even while being stuck inside: have a home movie night, go camping inside, play board games, or make dinner together. You can also plan a future vacation, have a spa night, or just cuddle up on the couch.
Make sure you connect with your partner emotionally during this time as well, because talking out the problems in your lives will make them a lot easier to deal with. We hope these tips help you keep the feelings of romance alive!
