Archive for the ‘Relaxation’ category

50 Shades of Fun for Couples

March 17, 2015

Here are a list of activities that you can do to have fun as a couple.  Some of them may seem silly or quirky, but the point is to do something out of the ordinary to “shake things up” and have fun.  Hopefully, this will also inspire you to come up with your own list (see #50)!  (These should be done together unless noted otherwise.)

  1. Give each other a back massage (or foot massage).
  2. Cook a meal together (not your usual weekday meal).
  3. Go out for ice cream and try your partner’s favorite flavor.  (If you both like the same flavor, then each of you tries something new.)
  4. Read a passage from a book (hint:  think romantic and/or “spicy”) to your partner.
  5. Try (or learn) a new sport or hobby together.
  6. Put on some music and dance while you do the chores together.
  7. Just put on some music and dance!  (If you have children/grandchildren, show them the dances you grew up with—Jitterbug, Hustle, Electric Slide, Macarena.)
  8. Go on a date, BUT pretend that you don’t know each other.  Use your best “pick-up” line and flirt (shamelessly) with each other.
  9. Have breakfast in bed and read the Sunday comics together.
  10. Work on a puzzle.
  11. Play a board game.
  12. Leave “love notes” (e.g., Post-It notes with a note on it) for your partner to find in various places (e.g., clothes drawer, briefcase, purse, dashboard of car, etc.).
  13. Make a “Top 10 List” of the funniest moments/events in the history of your marriage/relationship.  Frame this list or put it in a scrapbook.
  14. Find a volunteer activity to do together.
  15. Take a drive to somewhere out of town neither of you have visited and go exploring!
  16. Try a new restaurant.
  17. Take a bath/shower together.
  18. Go to a playground and play!
  19. Create your own “bedtime story.”  Give a new meaning to “pillow talk.”
  20. Have a picnic at home—in your living room, in the backyard—lay a blanket to sit on, have finger foods.
  21. Go fly a kite!
  22. Go to Karaoke night and sing a duet together.
  23. Challenge your partner to a video game (e.g., sports or dance games).
  24. Do a “challenge” together (e.g., 90-Day Fitness Challenge, 3 months to meet a goal etc.).
  25. Have a pillow “fight.”
  26. Bike, hike, jog, run, or walk through a park.
  27. Go the beach to watch the sunset (or sunrise).
  28. Have a moonlight picnic, in the backyard, under the stars . . . with a flashlight.
  29. Go on a walking tour of your city/town.
  30. Visit a museum and later talk about what you liked/disliked or learned.
  31. Create new memories:  Take pictures of yourselves having fun and create a scrapbook of memories—actual album or on your computer, tablet—to look through from time to time.
  32. Share jokes or funny stories with your partner, or watch comedy shows or funny video clips together.
  33. Find your “theme song” as a couple, or write your own together.
  34. Recall what you did as a child for fun (e.g., hopscotch, jump rope, roller skating, hula hoop, etc.) and do it together.
  35. Have movie night at home—with popcorn, box of candies, etc.
  36. Have a meal with only finger foods, and feed each other.
  37. Buy a bottle of bubbles and blow bubbles.
  38. Bake bread—knead, roll, punch the dough together.
  39. Finger paint or create a piece of artwork together, frame it, and hang it in your bedroom.
  40. Visit the zoo or aquarium.  Pick out your favorite attraction and share it with your partner.
  41. Give each other a manicure/pedicure (nail polish, optional).
  42. Spend a morning in bed just cuddling.
  43. Have a couples’ “spa day”—pamper each other at home, or go to a spa.
  44. Go to a flea market and hunt for “treasure(s).”
  45. Create your “couples playlist” of favorite songs.
  46. Do something exhilarating (rock climbing, sky diving, zip lining, etc.).
  47. Take a pottery class (a la the movie “Ghost”).
  48. Go to a wine-, beer-, coffee-tasting event.
  49. Take dance classes (e.g., Ballroom, Salsa, etc.) that you can do as a couple.
  50. Create your own “50 Shades of Fun.”

Are You Getting Enough Zzzzzz’s?

May 25, 2011

Lack of quality sleep can not only impair your physical health, but also your emotional well-being.  Research has shown that sleep deprivation and irregular sleep patterns can weaken the immune system or your body’s ability to handle illness and disease.  The effects of inadequate sleep include heart disease, hypertension, slurred speech, and tremors, not to mention slower reaction times, difficulty managing stress, and poor memory functioning.  Sleep disturbance is one of the symptoms of mood disorders such as depression.  But, studies have found that sleep deprivation can also “trigger” depression and mood disorders.  Sleep deprivation has also been found to be associated with weight gain, as lack of sleep interferes with hormone levels including those regulating appetite.  As you can see, getting enough quality sleep is important for your overall health.

Tips for Better Sleep:

Use the following tips to help you fall asleep and to improve the quality of your sleep.  Studies have shown that most people need at least 7-9 hours of sleep a night to feel rested.

  • Avoid eating a large meal before bedtime.  Try to have your last meal at least 3-4 hours prior to bedtime.  However, if you are hungry, a light snack such as yogurt or crackers may be eaten.
  • Develop a relaxing bedtime “ritual” to help your body and mind prepare for sleep.  Taking a warm shower/bath, reading, or listening to soft music may help you fall asleep.
  • Use your bed/bedroom only for sleeping and sex.  Your bed/bedroom should be a place of relaxation, a “sanctuary.”  Don’t do work in bed.
  • If, after 10-15 minutes of lying in bed, you are unable to fall asleep, get up, go to another room and engage in something relaxing such as reading or watching TV until you get sleep.
  • Doing at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise, especially in the morning, has been found to be helpful in improving sleep.  Avoid any strenuous exercise several hours before bedtime, although doing some light stretching or yoga before you turn in may help you relax.
  • Keep a regular sleep-wake schedule.  That is, get up and go to bed at the same time each day.  Staying up or sleeping in during the weekend will interfere with your sleep pattern.
  • Stop consuming caffeinated products by mid-afternoon.
  • Make sure your bedroom is conducive for sleep.  That is, reduce room noise, use low lighting, and keep a comfortable room temperature (60-70 degrees is recommended).

Need a Little Stress Relief?

April 25, 2011

Although the month of April is coming to an end, it’s actually Stress Awareness Month.  Rather interesting, as this is one of the most stressful months for a lot of people because of—you guessed it—tax returns are due!  Hopefully, since your tax returns were due (and sent) last week, you’re feeling a bit more relaxed?

If you’re still feeling a bit stressed and tense, try the following simple exercise.

Body Scan

Most of us tense our muscles unconsciously when we are stressed then wonder why we feel tight or sore.  Often, being tense becomes “natural” and thus, we become accustomed and desensitized to this.  Checking your body for any tension “tunes” you into any tightness you may be experiencing.  Once you are aware of any muscle tension, you can then do simple physical exercises to loosen these areas.  This exercise usually takes no more than five minutes to do.

  1. While sitting or standing, “scan” your body (from head to toe) for any tension you may be feeling.
  2. As you are checking/scanning your body for muscle tension, do some physical exercises or stretches to release any tightness such as opening or closing your mouth (to release tightened jaw muscles—do you tend to clench your teeth/jaw?), neck rolls or shoulder shrugs, shaking your hands and fingers (constantly tapping away on your keyboard?), stretching your back, rotating your ankles, etc.
  3. Do this exercise a few times throughout the day.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM!

July 16, 2010

Did you know, the third Sunday in July, that’s THIS Sunday, July 18th is National Ice Cream Day?  Go out and enjoy an ice cream cone, sundae, or milk shake.  Take a friend (or two or more) and splurge for the day.  Get wild and try a new flavor.  There’s always the fat-free/reduced fat or sugar-free flavors for those of you who are watching what you eat.  Savor the creamy, dreamy, yummy-ness!

LTI