5 At-Home Activities Couples Can Do During Covid-19

For almost one year, we’ve experienced varying limitations on recreational activities. With these restrictions in place, most couples have been spending more time at home together than ever before. This change from our normal lifestyle can cause serious strain in personal relationships.

Many couples are feeling the effects of these relationship strains. However, couples all over the world have used this time to create their own methods of maintaining and enhancing their relationships.

Here are 5 activities that couples can do at home to deepen and strengthen their bond during these difficult times.

First, some considerations…

Before diving into any activities, some groundwork is necessary to ensure both parties are on board and on the same page:

1. Set an agreed time you both can comfortably do the activity

2. Set a time limit for the activity (e.g. 1 hours max)

3. Choose a location you both like and can enjoy the activity

Each couples’ relationship is different, one method of bonding that works well with a pair, may not work with another. Being in a relationship has its own trials and errors. Don’t be discouraged if your first method does not work.

1) Pick up a New Hobby

During this time, couples may choose to focus on creating or learning new hobbies. Some couples choose to pick up crafting activities, like:

• Painting

• Drawing

• Small arts and craft (e.g. toothpicks, origami, etc.)

• Scrapbooking

Other couples have decide to try their hand at other things, including:

• Cooking

• Baking

• Music

• Photography

• Meditating

• Reading Books

• Board or Video Games

• Indoor/Outdoor gardening

• Learning another language

2) Watch A Series or Movie Together

Pick a movie or series you can both enjoy and make a big deal out of it. Dim the lights, grab a blanket and a couple of snacks, and enjoy being near one another. Get creative with it, and maybe even make the movie you’ll watch a surprise with this method:

1. Choose a genre(s) you both enjoy

2. Write down movies on separate paper strips

3. Put paper strips in a container and draw one

3) Exercise Together

Working out by yourself can be boring and off-putting. Plus with limited space, you may feel self-conscious or like you’re bothering your partner during your workout. But having someone to work out with you - or even just at the same time, but in a different room - can be motivating. Talk to your partner about the types of workouts you can do comfortably. If you have access to the internet you can hop onto YouTube for specific workouts:

• 10-30 minute workouts

• No equipment required workouts

• Types of workouts (fat burning, full body, HIIT Cardio, yoga, etc.)

• Dance workouts

4) Learn More About Each Other

As time passes we all change change - so does your partner. Keep learning about and teaching each other the different aspects of who you are. It can be simple things or even deeper, more profound insights.

You can make this into a quick daily activity by writing these things on pieces of paper, putting them in separate jars, and then pulling one out for each other to answer. It’s easy to start off with lists of personal likes or “quirks” about yourself:

• Favorite things (music, colors, activities, etc)

• Dreams

• Future Plans

• Personal History Fact

You can also do this by writing questions on the pieces of paper:

• What’s your favorite crime drama?

• What’s your favorite sport?

• What would you do with $10,000?

You may be surprised what you learn!

5) Make Time For Yourselves

Spending time by yourself in a relationship can be considered to be selfish or could be seen as isolating. Even though both of you are together in this relationship, it is normal to have time to be in your own space. It’s alright to have specific time for yourselves, doing things you enjoy that your partner may not. It can be in the same room where you both are doing different activities or in separate spaces nearby. This doesn’t sound like you’re doing something together, but by taking time for yourself you’ll enjoy the time you do spend together that much more.

Being stuck at home may feel tedious and boring, but all this time together can be harnessed to deepen your bond with your partner. Create your own activities, change the lengths of them as needed, and take the time to explore new things as you make the most of this difficult time.

---

Roubicek & Thacker Counseling is Fresno’s premier provider of individual, couples, family, and group therapy. We offer in-person and online remote therapy sessions. Contact us today to change the way you feel.