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Health & Fitness

Why date nights really matter


Why Date Nights Really Matter

Local restaurant teams up with relationship expert to talk about how to have the perfect date night

 

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Tampa, FL – When was the last time you were on a date? Remember, a real date? Just two people, reconnecting with no phones, children, friends or distractions. “Having time alone is imperative to a strong, healthy, happy relationship,” says Linda Peterman, LMHC, a psychotherapist in Westchase of Tampa. “Date nights ought to be on a regular basis, ideally once a week but no less than once a month. Making the effort to plan these nights (or days) is an investment in your relationship that will pay off for your children and for your future.”

 

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So, call up those babysitters—family, grandparents, neighbors, friends (swap kids with them), day care workers, or a sitting service—and go out on a date. Make it a time where you are able to talk and laugh and be yourselves. This is a time to connect again and remind each other why you are still together. This is real intimacy.

 

Peterman teams up with Carmel Café to discuss ways to have a successful date night:

 

1.      It’s all about the timing. “Make sure your date is scheduled at a time where both parties are energized and not too tired.” says Peterman. “Our service personnel are specifically trained to access each tables’ individual needs,” says Terry Ryan, President of Carmel Café. “At Carmel Café, we offer Menupad technology so each guest can customize and pace their individual experience. If they prefer to wait a little longer for dessert because the conversation is going so well, it is their choice as they are in control of their own date-night experience.”

2.      Know the right atmosphere. “You will want to choose an atmosphere that is quiet or enabling for conversation,” says Peterman. “Connecting over conversation keeps us emotionally and intellectually engaged. Attempt to talk about things that are not of the mundane or work related. Converse about all kinds of topics; serious or funny, real or fantasy the way you would with someone new.”

3.      Find perfect pairings. There are studies that show foods that taste delicious make us happy. “Additionally, when food is well prepared, the setting is comfortable, and the experience flows with ease, you are almost guaranteed to have a special date night,” says Ryan.  

4.      Get playful with dessert. “Feeding each other dessert, trying a few different desserts together and enjoying the experience is a sure way to reconnect,” says Peterman. “Some couples want to come out specifically for a wine and dessert pairing experience to highlight their date night,” says Ryan.

5.      Remember the good old days. When you first started dating you probably were more inquisitive and interactive when spending time together. “Remember how you used to interact and how you used to feel when you first began to get to know your partner. Go back to those behaviors as they will make you feel closer to your partner and remind you why you are still together,” says Peterman. “Ask questions about your partner’s dreams, goals, and desires. Even have a list of questions mentally prepared if needed.”

 

Want more ideas to having a date? Check out these additional themes:

 

  • Take a picnic to the beach or park
  • Go out for dessert and coffee
  • Take a drive to a town where you can walk and explore (Dunedin, Lido Beach, downtown St. Pete,
  • Go to a comedy club
  • Play golf or mini-golf
  • Bowling, tennis, roller-blading, biking, fishing, rock wall climbing
  • Rent a kayak, sailboat, canoe
  • Go to a sporting event (there can be cheap seats)
  • Go to an art show/concert in the park

 

About Carmel Café: Carmel Cafe & Wine Bar creates a dining experience defined by innovative cuisine, variety of serving sizes for both food and beverages and an evolutionary menu ordering system that offers guests a simple and easy way to customize their entire meal.

 

Modern Mediterranean, known as Mod Med, is a modern interpretation of favorite dishes from countries such as Italy, Spain, France, Greece and Morocco. Mod Med dishes incorporate – and update - traditional foods from that region to highlight fresh, natural flavors.  For more information, please visit carmelcafe.com.

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