Good Lifestyle

As you enter your sixth decade, brainstorming new and exciting ways to spend time together can be tough. Movie night? You and your beau have seen every rom-com that's debuted since 1985. Picnic in the park? That feels somewhat juvenile. Kencan makan malam? Menguap. However, creating newdate night memories is critical. Whether you're starting a new relationship or want to shake things up with your long-term partner, spending time with your lover boosts your bond and staves off the feeling of having fallen into a rut. Tidak yakin harus mulai dari mana? Jangan takut. Read on to discover six exciting date night ideas for people over 50.

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Vision boards aren't only for wedding planning and birthdays—they also make for a fabulous date night activity. "When you're over 50, your children have left the nest or are on their way out in the next few years," says Sarah Rattray,couples psychologist and founder of the Couples Communication Institute. "Your career has likely been established, and maybe you're ready for a change." In other words, it's the perfect time to join your partner in envisioning—or re-envisioning—your future.

So, grab the magazines you have around the house and create a vision board together. "It's time to explore your dreams, goals, and visions for the next part of your life," says Rattray. "To become a team in crafting together what you'd like to give to your family, your community, and your legacy, with each other's support."

According to The Gottman Institute, a love map is the level of familiarity you have with your partner's internal world (the more expansive your love map, the more intimately you know them.) So, how do expand yours? It's simple: you ask each other a ton of questions. Fortunately, this can be incorporated into any date, from going on a bike ride to sitting in your bathtub, says Carrie Krawiec, LMFT, a therapist at the Birmingham Maple Clinic in Troy, Michigan. "Revisit your partner's hopes and dreams, wishes and missed opportunities, embarrassing moments, sources of pride, and favorite or least favorite things," says Krawiec. "Partners with deep love maps can weather storms, reduce annoyance, and have a greater understanding." Try a deck of question cards for an easy way to start.

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You don't have to wait for a big anniversary to recreate one of your kencan pertama bersama. "When you go on a 'flashback date,' wear the same clothing you would have worn when you first got together and go someplace you would have gone," saysBrenda Wade,klinik Psikologi and founder of the Modern Love and Relationship Training Programs. "Only talk about the things you would have talked about in the early days like what was fun, your friends, and what you were looking toward for the future." Wade also recommends bringing along throwback photos if you have them. "Think of this as a flashback to remind you of what attracted you to each other and what made you fall in love," she adds.

For a date night that blends excitement with intimacy, attend a controversial book reading, play, or movie. Then, share a bottle of wine or a bite to eat and discuss your thoughts about the event. "Learning to discuss controversy and partners' differences regarding difficult material allows strengthening through the ability to know it is okay to have different opinions, to be able to be your true self in a partnership," says Sharon Gilchrest O'Neill, Ed.S., LMFT, a therapist and relationships author. These events don't have to be too "out there," either; a play that's getting mixed reviews in the local newspaper will suffice.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

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Music can spark joy and conversation, and create lasting memories. "This is a chance for couples to get to know each other's music tastes and how they have changed over the years," says Sam Nabil, LPC, founder and lead therapist at Naya Clinics. "Also, music helps the couples reminisce about fun and positive times together as music is known to release dopamine, which heightens positive emotions." BerdasarkanHarvard Health, mendengarkan lagu nostalgia dapat memicu ingatan Anda tentang ingatan yang sebelumnya terlupakan - jadi jangan kaget jika Anda dan S.O. berbagi cerita lucu dari sekolah menengah setelah konser.

Turun dan kotordi Taman untuk aktivitas kencan Anda berikutnya. "Ini bisa menjadi latihan yang baik untuk orang -orang yang menua karena memberikan olahraga yang berkelanjutan, serta meningkatkan persahabatan antara pasangan," kata Nabil. "Banyak terapis juga menyarankan terapi berkebun untuk beberapa pasangan karena membantu mereka menciptakan kebiasaan baru dan juga membantu memori jangka panjang." Faktanya,satu studi 2019 diterbitkan diJurnal Internasional Penelitian Lingkungan dan Kesehatan Masyarakat menemukan bahwa manula yang melakukan aktivitas berkebun 20 menit menunjukkan peningkatan kadar faktor pertumbuhan saraf otak yang sehat secara signifikan BDNF dan PDGF. Buat koktail (kemangi segar, siapa saja?) Atau papan makanan ringan sesudahnya dan mengagumi pekerjaan Anda bersama.

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