5 Date Ideas for People With Lupus

Date nights are a bit different now with my diagnosis. Before we used to just go out all spontaneous, at a spur of the moment and decide "let’s try this restaurant" or "let’s go visit this new city tomorrow." We were young, healthy, in love and nothing was going to stop us.

But, things changed when I got sick. There were days when I just had no energy and I couldn’t get out of bed. Spontaneity was out the window and late night outs was a thing of the past. We also had to tighten our budget with the rising medical costs and inflation in general.

5 date activities with lupus

Thankfully, though, we have learned how we can still have fun while dealing with my chronic illnesses. Here are my top 5 favorite date activities that my husband and I love to do. You can always turn these into fun ideas at home as well if you are not up to going out.

1. Eating out at new restaurants

We love trying out new restaurants and we are lucky enough to live in a place where there are many options for us to choose from. We usually look on social media or Yelp so we can read the reviews and check out what is on the menu and the prices. If I am not up to going out we usually just order in and pretend we are at a restaurant at home. We will dim the lights and add in some candles to create that restaurant vibe.

2. Movie night

We love going to the movie theater, especially if they have the recliner chairs. These are the most comfy chairs and makes the date even more relaxing. Add in some popcorn and nachos, and I am set. If I am not up to going out we usually watch a movie at home. Thanks to so many streaming services we have we have a ton of options to choose from right from the comfort of our couch. We usually also have snacks on hand to add to our movie night in.

3. Picnic in the park

There is something about being in nature that is very calming to me. So, once the weather is nice we like to be outdoors as much as possible. Because of my lupus, I have to ensure that we pick a spot with plenty of shade. Once we find a spot, we will set our blanket and enjoy a nice meal while people watching. If being outdoors isn’t your thing, you can set up a picnic in your living room.

4. Visit a museum or gallery

We love history and the arts. So, visiting a museum or gallery is a perfect activity. We get to take our take our time and walk at our own pace. We are also able to take multiple rest breaks if we plan on being there for a long period of time. Many places also have wheelchairs. Many museums and galleries now have their own YouTube channels and have many series online. Many people also post walkthroughs so you won’t even have to leave your home if you just want a night in.

5. Spa day

We love to get pampered and get massages. This is usually pretty pricey so we save these for big occasions like our birthdays or if want to celebrate something big. I also end up getting a facial or a manicure/pedicure. If you want to save money you can bring the spa to your home. You can give your significant others massages and do an at home manicure and pedicure.

What are some other fun date activities that you and your significant other enjoy?