7 Self-Care Tips For Dating During Coronavirus, According To An Expert

Hinge has collaborated with mindfulness app, Headspace to create two pre-date meditations aimed at dispelling nerves and fighting any negative talk you have towards yourself. Taking a moment to be silent may not usually figure in your pre-date routine. However, Ury says, “You want to feel your most confident before you go on a date. Often people have a voice in their head that’s very critical and this is about getting away from that.”

October has hit and it’s hard to fight the urge (and social media pressure) to find someone to snuggle down with for the winter. The pressure someone before lockdown rules change make things even worse, but that isn’t a reason to rush yourself, says Ury.

"People focus on getting a 'hot water bottle' [person] rather than finding someone they actually want to spend time with." She adds: "Reflect on your dating journey and your real motivations. Do you want to be with this person or do you just not want to be alone?"

Hinge, Bumble, and Tinder have all designed video chat functions so people can meet online for a pre-date. “More than half of our users tried video dating for the first time during the pandemic. 81% said they weren’t awkward and it’s such a safe, low pressure way to connect. You don’t even have to put your eyeliner on,” says Ury. It’s a way to check you’re on the same wavelength as your match before leaving the comfort of your sofa.

Choosing not to ghost someone sounds like a way to protect them rather than you, but it’s actually a golden rule that will help you set boundaries for yourself.

Hinge has seen a 27% decrease in ghosting during the pandemic and Ury explains that being clear with the people you’re talking to isn’t only kinder to them but also helps you become "a more intentional dater."

The last few months have been chaotic and prioritising yourself and your feelings is crucial. If you don’t feel in a position to meet someone, then that’s fine. If you do, that’s great. “It’s totally natural to feel a range of emotions when you’re dating. Be kind to yourself,” says Ury, “You need to feel like you’re a person worthy of finding love before you can expect that someone will be willing to love you.”

“You should prioritise your own self-care and that might mean acknowledging when you’re burnt out,” says Ury. The entire dating process, from opening an app to sitting down for a socially distanced drink, can be pretty exhausting. You’ve got to deal with the bad (boring conversations and rejection) along with the good.

There’s nothing wrong with closing your dating apps until you’re in a better mental place to entertain the prospect of donning jeans and a nice top and meeting someone new.