Living through a pandemic isn’t something anyone expected. Most people’s lives have flipped upside down and the standard for normality seems to have vanished. Despite this, life continues and a huge part of life is the relationships that we form with other people. Being single during a pandemic is hard and many want to get back on the dating scene. But how should you safely go about this? Here are some helpful tips that you should consider while dating in a pandemic.
Get in Tune with Each Other
It’s easy to assume that people looking to date right now are all looking for physical relationships. But given the current global crisis, you’re going to want to make sure that you and any potential partners are on the same page. If you’re looking to date someone in person right now, make sure to find how they feel within the first few messages. Figure out each others’ mask policy and whether you want to wear masks while on dates or while being intimate. Don’t expect that the first date will end with a kiss since the virus is spread through saliva.
Be direct and don’t be afraid to ask for proof of COVID-19 tests if it will make you feel more comfortable. If you aren’t interested in having to ask these kinds of questions, there is a great way to find people looking to hook up. If you want casual sex without having to wait, check out the app Freefuckbook on your smartphone or tablet. After downloading the mobile app, you’ll be able to see other people looking for hookups, and may even get lucky that night!
Play it Safe
Contraception is an essential part of casual dating. Although these kinds of protection can’t protect you from COVID, it can protect you from STDs and unwanted pregnancies. Before getting intimate, have an honest discussion with your partner about what safe sex looks like to you.
The pill is a popular contraceptive method but isn’t for everyone. It’s easy to forget to take a pill and not everyone can use them. Condoms and dental dams are easy and affordable, but they can break and may make sex less pleasurable. There is a myriad of other types of contraceptive methods, each with its pros and cons. Factors to consider while choosing protection include age, health, lifestyle, side effects, and effectiveness.
Use Texting as a Tool
Even if you don’t feel safe being physical with someone, that doesn’t mean that you can’t be intimate. Sexting is when you send or receive sexual words, pictures, or videos with technology, usually with a smartphone. This can be a great tool for pre-existing couples who aren’t able to quarantine together or for people looking to start a relationship but aren’t able to be intimate yet. Like with physical contact, make sure to ask for consent before engaging in any kind of sexting.
This is a great time to be creative and explore what you and your partner or partners are into. Sexting doesn’t have to be only written. A sexy picture can be fun for you and the person on the receiving end. Treat this as practice for when you can be physical. You will be sure to find that your time in bed will be more exciting after building it up over text.
Get Creative in the Bedroom
For individuals wanting to get physical in an almost completely safe way, outercourse is a good solution. Outercourse is a broad term for sexual activity without intercourse. This can mean different things for different people. Examples of this can be dry humping, using sex toys, or mutual masturbation.
Outercourse is a great idea if you aren’t comfortable without masks and still want to maintain some distance while being intimate. It can also be great practice for when you feel safer and are ready to have sex since you will have a better knowledge of what each other’s preferences are.
Be Your Own Partner
Of course, the safest thing right now in the dating world is to play it safe and get to know yourself better. You know what you like more than anyone else, so masturbation can be even better than having sex with a partner. Sex toys can make pleasuring yourself even more fun and can add variety to your usual routine. There are even ways to discretely buy toys and other supplies if you’re shy about going to a store in person. Self-pleasure has a long list of health benefits including the release of pleasure hormones, increased blood flow, and creating a stronger pelvic floor.
The world is not the best place right now, but that shouldn’t stop you from making connections with people. If you stay safe and listen to yourself and your partners, you can be sure to have a fun time.
