How to Navigate Dating in Your 40s & 50s in the Age of COVID-19
Dating in the time of COVID-19 has been challenging for everyone, but for those in their 40s and 50s, there is an added layer of difficulty.
The CDC advises that the risk of suffering severe illness upon contracting COVID-19 increases with age. While a healthy, active person in their 40s or 50s may not have severe symptoms, they are more at risk than their younger counterparts. And if you have any underlying conditions or are in poor health, you may be even more at risk of a life-threatening illness.
This doesn’t mean that your dating life has to be put on hold. Keep reading to learn a few smart tips that will help you keep the love alive and date safely during COVID-19.
Give Dating Apps a Try
It likely comes as no surprise that dating apps have long been favored by younger daters. Users under the age of 30 make up nearly 50 percent of online daters. Just under 40 percent of users are between the ages of 30 and 49, while just 19 percent of online dating is by those aged 50 to 64.
When you’re used to something more traditional, online dating can wind up feeling flat and lacking. You might worry about figuring out who or what is genuine, or forming a real connection with someone that you can’t meet face to face.
However, if you’re in a high-risk group or concerned about connecting with strangers in the time of a pandemic, online dating is the clear solution. In fact, conversations on dating apps have surged by 19 to 26 percent since the start of the pandemic in March of last year.
If this is your first time navigating a dating app, there are a few things you should be on the lookout for that may indicate that an individual isn’t who they say they are. Avoid communicating with anyone who:
- Always has an excuse for why they can’t meet up, even after you’ve communicated frequently
- Excessively poor grammar and misspellings
- Makes any kind of request for money or information that seems too personal
- Professes their love much too quickly
Get Creative With Your Dates
While the coronavirus may make old-school dinner dates or even Netflix and chill dangerous, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy a fun, safe date.
Plan a day outdoors, visiting your local zoo, botanical gardens, state or national park. Dine out at a restaurant with outdoor seating, or order carryout and enjoy it in a park. You can also try video chats, watching a movie or even playing games together virtually.
Rethink How You Introduce a New Flame to Your Family
Meeting the family is a big step in any relationship, but is perhaps even more so when you have children still living at home. If your children are attending school in person or attending other activities, exposing them to the person you are dating, especially if they are considered high risk, can be tricky.
If you choose to introduce your flame to your children, make sure that they are equipped with well-fitting, high-quality kids’ face masks from a retailer like Green Supply. Maintain social distancing during your meeting as well. A picnic or dining at a restaurant with outdoor seating is a great choice.
Dating in Your 40s and 50s During the Pandemic
Dating during COVID-19 has been tough for everyone, but if you’re in your 40s or 50s or suffering from an underlying condition or poor health, there’s an added challenge. Giving online dating or dating apps a try, being safe when introducing your family to your new flame and getting creative with your dates will allow your love life to flourish without putting your health at risk.
