Sparking Romance: Healthy and Fun Date Night Ideas

Written by: Claudia Haller NBC-HWC

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about some fun, new date night ideas.  Romance is often associated with indulgence.  Of course, there’s nothing wrong with a little indulgence once in a while.  It can feel great to get all decked out for a fancy dinner, and who doesn’t love a taste of decadent chocolate?

…but sometimes it can be refreshing to trade in the extravagance for something a little more low-key, or perhaps a heart-pumping adventure.  Besides, let’s be realistic – we can’t be scarfing down boxes of chocolate every weekend, even in the name of romance.  Sure, Valentine's Day is only one day, but we want to go on great dates on Valentine's Day and beyond!

Whether you’ve found your other half or you’re scoping out your options, dates are a necessity for keeping things fresh and exciting.  If you’re going out for flirty fun on a regular basis, your nights out should be part of your overall healthy lifestyle.  Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to strengthen your connection while also prioritizing your health.   Let’s explore some date night ideas that are healthy and fun.

1.      Cooking Together
Instead of just going out to eat, opt to make your own date night dinner.  Cooking together can be a fun shared experience.  It’s a great way to learn about each other.  Plus, trying something new together is a surefire way to bring you closer.  Enjoy a cozy night in your own kitchen, or check out a cooking class.  Experimenting with new recipes can be both healthy and delicious.  You can choose lots of nutritious ingredients and have the satisfaction of creating something together from scratch.  For some mood-boosting foods to incorporate into your culinary date, click HERE!

2.      Go On an Outdoor Adventure
Being in nature can boost your mood and your health.  Sunshine provides Vitamin D, which is essential for regulating mood, not to mention helping with the development of bones and teeth and improving resistance to diseases.  Then, when the sun goes down, you have a lovely, serene atmosphere for meaningful conversation.  Kayaking and bike riding are wonderful options for daylight hours, but if you want to take the romance factor up a notch, enjoy these activities with the backdrop of a beautiful sunset.  You could also check out a scenic hiking trail, set up a picnic, go skiing, or participate in an outdoor yoga (or any other fitness) class. 

Find something that is conducive to the environment in which you live, as well as both of your fitness levels.  Being outside encourages physical activity, which contributes to a healthy lifestyle.  It also gets your adrenaline pumping, which, according to studies, is positively correlated with attraction.   Physical activity can actually increase your romantic feelings!

3.      Go Exploring!
Having some go-to date night spots can be easy and comfortable.  Sometimes, that’s exactly what we want.  However, when you’re trying to beat the boredom and encourage a little excitement in your relationship, why not go somewhere new together?  Exploring can be a fun way to get moving, try something different, and maybe even learn something along the way.  Go on a hunt for new restaurants that you haven’t tried before – you might just find a new favorite (Want to continue making health-conscious decisions when you’re out?  Click HERE)! 

Or, if it’s available where you live, try one of my chosen dates: a train ride.  When my husband and I are looking for something fun to do, we love to hop on a train and enjoy the scenery (as well as each other’s company, of course).  If you’re feeling motivated to learn, you could even find something that teaches you about the history of the area.

4.      Dance Lessons
Dancing is a fantastic way to connect with your significant other, and it’s a great form of exercise.  Find a class that interests you both.  You’ll have a great time learning together, and as a bonus, you can really wow your friends when you show off your new moves at the next wedding or party!

5.      Fitness Challenge
Healthy couples challenge and motivate each other.  What better way to strengthen that aspect of your relationship than to participate in a fitness challenge together?  Perhaps you want to set your sights on an end goal, like training for a 5K run.  Or, maybe you agree to a daily commitment, such as a morning yoga practice, for a set period of time.  Whatever fitness challenge you choose, the idea is that you have fun, push each other in a positive way, and celebrate small victories together. 

6.      Book Club (Exercise your mind!)
When we think about healthy living, we often focus on our bodies.  However, it’s important to remember not to neglect our minds.  As individuals, most of us need mental stimulation to feel fulfilled.  Likewise, to feel fulfilled in a relationship, intelligent conversation is crucial.  Reading is a great way to spend quality time together, and it can lead to meaningful discussions.  Plus, it’s a perfect excuse to spend a cozy evening snuggled close on the couch!

7.      Artistic Adventure
Just like our minds crave that cognitive stimulation, we need to nourish the creative parts of our brains, too!  Take care of your overall health with a well-rounded approach that includes attention to your artistic side!  Unleash your potential talents by attending a pottery class or painting workshop.  Try taking up photography…this can lead to all kinds of fun adventures as you go exploring subjects. 

​Bonus points for getting out in nature and incorporating a good walk!  Engaging in artistic activities together lets you see a side of each other that you otherwise may not.  Also, having a project that keeps you busy while you get to know each other reduces any awkwardness or pressure, especially in a new relationship.

8.      Volunteer Together
What is more attractive than kindness?  If you want to see your partner’s best qualities, volunteering is an ideal date.   It enhances our sense of well-being by making us feel good about ourselves as individuals and as a couple.  Research has proven time and time again that high self-esteem increases the likelihood of relationship satisfaction.  When we love ourselves, we are better able to receive love from someone else.  It also affects how we treat others, how we handle our emotions, and how we communicate. 

​Essentially, people who feel good about themselves are better equipped for success in relationships.  Giving back to the community can be a rewarding experience, and sharing that with someone is a great way to feel closer to one another.  You could volunteer at a local food bank or animal shelter, or participate in a community clean-up.  There are endless opportunities out there to help others.  You are bound to find something close to both of your hearts.

With these fun date night ideas, you are on your way to becoming a healthier you AND nurturing a healthy relationship!  Between cooking up romance and getting your hearts beating faster (in more ways than one), these dates provide a plethora of options to encourage your well-being while also having a great time.

Claudia is an NBC-HWC Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, the owner of Vibrant Health by Claudia LLC  and Virtual Health Coaches LLC. She studied Health and Wellness Coaching at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition where she also completed courses in Gut Health, Hormone Health, and Advanced Coaching. She is a Havening TechniquesⓇ Certified Practitioner and certified 21-Day Sugar Detox Coach as well as a co-author of two Amazon Bestsellers “The Ultimate Guide to Creating Your Soul Aligned Business” and “The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Successful Soul Professional”.
 
Sources:
Devje, Shahzadi. “Vitamin D Benefits.” Healthline, 6 Feb. 2023, www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/benefits-vitamin-d

Lancer, Darlene. “Self-Esteem Makes Successful Relationships.” Psych Central, 28 Feb. 2016, https://psychcentral.com/lib/self-esteem-makes-successful-relationships
​
McKinney, Kristin. “The Effects of Adrenaline on Arousal and Attraction.” Mckendree.edu, http://www.mckendree.edu/academics/scholars/issue17/mckinney.html
​

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this guest blog post are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of our website. We take no responsibility for any errors or omissions in the content provided. The information shared in this post is intended to be informative and educational, but it is always essential to conduct further research and seek professional advice where appropriate. We encourage our readers to form their own opinions and perspectives based on multiple sources and individual judgment.