Chicago Holidays 2020: COVID-19 Edition
Well, guys, unlike COVID-19, the year is officially coming to an end. Still, that will not put a damper on the season, and certainly not if we can help it. Chicago is still one of the most magical places to be in during the holiday season. So before you decide to go full bah-humbug on the holidays, check out our guide on Chicago Holidays 2020–COVID-19 Edition.
Give
There is no denying this has been a tough year for everyone. Fortunately, some of us have been spared in more ways than one, and if there has ever been a time to give back- it is now.
Check in with your local food banks and donation centers this year. Really show up for a family member in need or just donate to your favorite charity. The more holiday spirit we can spread around, the more we can restore faith in humanity this season.
Visit a Beautiful Restaurant
Hear us out. If you’re feeling particularly bummed about missing out on all the holiday gatherings, now is the perfect time to splurge on a nice night out with your partner.
Some of the most romantic restaurants in Chicago, like Oriole, Joe’s Seafood, or goosefoot, are now taking reservations and have strict safety measures in place for fine dining. You get to dress up, be around other humans, and feel inspired and grateful for making it through the year. Go ahead- celebrate!
(make sure to call ahead to get current information on any new curfews or guidelines)
Outdoor Activities
If you’re ready to venture out, keep an eye out for our beloved holiday traditions like the Zoo Lights at the Lincoln Park Zoo. The Ice Skating Ribbon at Maggie Daley Park or check out Christmas Around the World at the museum of science & Industry.
All of which are scheduled to go on this year with some additional guidelines in place.
Join the Cyber Experience on Some of Your Favorites
If you’re braving the rest of the year indoors, then worry not. There are still plenty of cyber activities available to enjoy the season. This year, the Goodman Theatre is gifting us the audio version of A Christmas Carol the entire month of December.
Also joining the list is the beloved Christkindmarket event. It will feature an online marketplace of all your holiday favorites. The virtual store is scheduled to go live on November 1st and run through the end of the year.
And don’t forget about Chicago’s favorite virtual tours, ready to take you all around Chicago with just a click.
There you have it. We hope this makes your holiday season a bit more bearable. Don’t forget to be safe and keep up with updates. Hang in there guys, we’re all in this together!
The Gratitude Challenge, Part 2: 5 Reasons to Count Your Blessings
5 Reasons to Count Your Blessings
Thanksgiving is on the way, but you might be feeling less than thankful. It’s been a rough year, and there doesn’t appear to be an end in sight, so we get it. But there are benefits to digging deep into your thankfulness reservoir – enough benefits, that this is an exercise we think everyone should get behind. Here are five reasons you should count your blessings.
1. Thankfulness is a cycle.
When you learn to recognize the blessings in your life, you’ll start seeing them in more places. The more thankful you are, the more thankful you’ll be. This is a snowball effect that you want to get rolling!
2. Thankfulness introduces positivity.
We know you know what we’re talking about. When you’re grumpy, lots of things irritate you that you wouldn’t normally bat an eye at. Grumpiness begets grumpiness, right? Well, the reverse is also true. When you look at things with gratitude, your positivity is like a beam of light that illuminates the things around it as well. Thankfulness can actually make you happier.
3. It’s good for your health.
An apple a day might keep the doctor away, but gratitude may also have health benefits. Certain studies have linked gratitude with reduction in headaches, sore throats and congestion. Not all studies have found a correlation, but it’s certainly worth a try.
4. Gratitude is great for your relationship.
As we mentioned in a previous blog post, a study found that gratitude between relationship partners created a positive cycle. The study found that the partner receiving the thanks was motivated to continue the behavior that prompted the thanks, and the thanking partner was motivated to reciprocate the behavior. Just another reason to appreciate your partner, and let him or her know that you do.
5. It just feels good.
Thankfulness is like a warm and fuzzy blanket that you wrap yourself in to watch your favorite movie. Why wouldn’t you want to participate in something that is as comforting and satisfying as a steaming cup of soup on a blustery evening?
We hope you can set aside some time to count those blessings and head into a mindset of positivity and gratitude this Thanksgiving season and beyond.
The Gratitude Challenge: Staying Thankful When Things Are Hard
The Gratitude Challenge
It’s no secret that 2020 has been hard on everyone. It doesn’t make you a negative person to acknowledge the toll it has taken on you.
But it’s neither useful nor productive to dwell on the difficult. Instead, research has shown that taking the time to count your blessings can actually make you happier. A 2011 study found that gratitude between relationship partners created a positive cycle in which the partner being thanked was motivated to continue the behavior that prompted the thanks, and the thanking partner was motivated to reciprocate the behavior.
The Challenge
Whether you welcome the approaching holiday season with open arms, or whether it leaves you feeling bereft, now is a particularly good time to focus on the positive and take the 21-day gratitude challenge.
If you search online for “gratitude challenge,” you’ll find a number of different options. What we’re suggesting is very simple, but still effective in lifting those spirits.
Get a small notebook and number the pages 1-21. Then, each day, write three things that you are grateful for. No repeats! And they can be as big or as small as you’d like. The point is to start looking for the positive in even the most seemingly insignificant interactions or events. Here’s an example:
On Day 1, I’m thankful for:
- Waking up in my comfortable bed.
- The supermarket clerk who was so friendly during check out.
- The wide sidewalks in my neighborhood that are great for strolling or jogging.
The great thing about this exercise is that it can help you learn to be a blessing to other people. If you find that you are often grateful for positive interactions with others, you can strive to provide those sorts of interactions with your circle or strangers that you encounter.
And by the end of the 21 days, we think you’ll find that you’re an expert at pulling your own happiness wagon.
Fallin’ in Love: 3 Places to Fall in Love With This Fall Season in Chicago
If you’ve blinked anytime during the last eight months, then let us officially welcome you to fall. We might be biased, but Autumn in Chicago might just be one of the most beautiful things you will ever experience. You will 100% fall in love–pun intended.
With its beautiful crisp fall foliage, envious weather, and increasingly growing list of things to do, there’s nowhere else we’d like to spend this season. Even a global pandemic can’t get in the way of enjoying this beautiful time of year.
If you’re worried that this season is canceled too, worry not–mother nature has got your back. Lucky for us (at least here in Chicago), some of the best things about fall are its stunning colors, heart-warming flavors, and seasonal décor. Not even the most controversial of events can cancel these!
If you’re wondering where exactly these beautiful places exist, read along to see some of our favorites. Enjoy!
The Science Center
Taking a walk from the Botanic Garden’s visitor center to the Conservation Science Center– because nothing feeds the soul and helps you feel the enchantment of the season like a mix of colorful perennials and fiery Japanese maples.
The Arboretum
A nice (short) road trip to Morton Arboretum. Nature amiright? This beautiful fairytale-like land is less than an hour’s drive away but feels like you’ve stepped into a new world. Featuring over 4,000 [type] of tress, we can almost guarantee you will leave this place feeling recharged and inspired- it also makes for a beautiful romantic getaway.
The Woods
The LaBagh Woods– Listen, if being outdoors is your cup of tea, you’re going to want to grab a couple of friends and head over the banks of the Chicago River’s North Branch to this forest preserve. With over 35 miles of trails, you can hike your way up to stunning oaks, maples, and cottonwoods. Bonus points for packing some apple cider and having the most Instagrammable autumn picnic ever.
These are just some of our favorites to fall in love with this autumn. However, they are a mere dent on all that Chicago has to offer. Don’t be afraid to feel and (spread) the season’s spirit around. It’s about time we all start feeling good around here.
Entering Autumn: 3 Ways to Safely Enjoy Fall Outdoors This Year
While social distancing and safe practices are still in effect, there are still many traditional ways we can celebrate fall safely with others. Read ahead for a few ideas to get into the fall spirit while entering autumn!
Visit an Orchard
Apple orchards are a great way to enjoy the season. These locations will let you pick apples for any of your fall cooking projects, or just eat the fresh fruit as is! We recommend using sweet varieties for eating plain, and more sour varieties for cooking. While this is a fun activity, it also supports local farms who may be struggling currently. Many orchards also have hot cider and other apple treats like donuts or pie for you to enjoy as you traverse the orchard. Nothing is better than wrapping your hands around some warm cider in the cooler months.
Pick Pumpkins
Pumpkin patches are a tradition for many, you can pick your fall and Halloween decor by hand whether you are looking for the perfect carving pumpkin or gourds to place around the house. This is also a great time to disconnect from technology for a while, something many of us struggle with during these months stuck at home. Once done picking out your items, you can even plan a carving event with your friends! If your group is more competitive, make a themed competition out of it and vote on your favorites. Some category suggestions are Most Scary, Silliest, and Best Technique!
Take a Walk When the Leaves are at their Peak
Nothing beats talking a lovely walk bundled up against the brisk weather under beautiful changing fall leaves. Every year is a bit different for when it is best to go. This time is different for every state, so make sure to do your research! Often for Chicago it is in late October or early November. A few great Chicago locations to view the leaves are the Chicago Botanic Garden, the Morton Arboretum, Garfield Park Conservatory, and Winnemac Park.
Regardless of how you celebrate fall while entering autumn, make sure to do so safely. To stay updated on the latest and most accurate information related to COVID-19, please refer to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Autumn Adventures: 4 Fun Things To Do In Chicago This Fall
It’s time for pumpkin-themed everything and autumn adventures. Though this fall may not look like previous falls, there’s still plenty to do while remaining safe and practicing social distancing. Check out this list of local activities if you’re looking for a way to spend a crisp, golden weekend.
Indulge your inner adventurer
The Forge: Lemont Quarries opened up in July. This enormous new destination includes the world’s largest aerial challenge course, complete with two miles of ziplines, rappelling and rock climbing walls. If that’s not your thing, you can go mountain biking or paddling in a canoe or kayak. The tech-minded might enjoy the laser tag or augmented reality outdoor escape games. There is also a smaller adventure course geared towards kids. The park is cashless for COVID-19 prevention, and has implemented strict social distancing guidelines so that guests can enjoy the facilities while staying safe.
Enjoy autumn’s brilliance
If you can’t imagine fall without a healthy dose of leaf peeping, look no further than the Morton Arboretum. Take in the colors while enjoying 16 miles of hiking trails. Entry is allowed via timed passes only, ensuring the ability to social distance while on the grounds. So plan ahead to enjoy this 1,700-acre “outdoor museum” of plants and trees.
Get your groove on
The Hyde Park Jazz Fest is still on for Sept. 26-27. The festival will feature a main virtual concert streamed from the Logan Center for the Arts on the 26th. To retain the energy of the event, organizers are planning live, mobile performances on the 27th. These performances will last roughly half an hour each and be held at different locations around town to reduce congregating. Whether you choose the tune into the streamed concert or attend one of the live ones, you’ll still be able to enjoy live jazz music this fall.
Grab a cold one
The Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer is going virtual this November, but that doesn’t mean you won’t get to sample the brews. The organizers will proceed with the competition and awards ceremony. Though the details haven’t been made public yet, they’re also working on ways for to get the beer to enthusiasts.
Enjoy and make the most of those autumn adventures while staying safe.
Keeping Connections Strong: 5 Ways to Socialize from a Distance
Social distancing. It’s a phrase we’re all sick of, but it doesn’t seem like it will be going away anytime soon. Keeping connections strong has become difficult. You may be ready to resume your normal social life. After all, there’s been quite a bit of discussion about how social distancing impacts mental health, and how to balance the risks with your emotional well-being. But your friends or your family may be taking a more conservative approach. Or maybe you’re not ready to reenter society, and your friends are. Whatever your comfort level, we have a few ideas for socializing and staying connected while maintaining those six feet of distance.
Eat
Have a pod picnic with your friends or family. Members of the same household can sit in “pods” spaced six feet from other pods. Being outdoors and bringing your own food will help you and your loved ones feel safe, while still being able to spend time together and catch up.
Exercise
Go hiking. Again, being outdoors lessens any risks you may be worried about, and hiking six feet apart is not difficult to maintain. Plus, being outside and getting some exercise will lift your mood.
Read
Start a book club. This is a great way to socialize with people whose comfort level differs from your own. People who want to meet in person can do so, and those who prefer to stay virtual can join via video chat. Need an idea for the first read? Check out this list.
Engage
Start a neighborhood activity. A Chicagoland mom came up with the idea of a shamrock hunt for kids back in March. The post went viral and inspired people in other communities, as well. If you don’t know your neighbors, this is a great way to meet them. Try starting a non-holiday version of the popular “You’ve been Boo’d” Halloween game where people leave mystery packages for neighbors, with a note to do the same for the next person.
Think
Run a trivia night. This is also an activity that can be done both in-person and virtually, depending on people’s comfort levels. Don’t know how to start a trivia night? Check out this guide.
We hope that you find an activity to suit your comfort level and allow you to stay connected to friends and loved ones. Stay safe while keeping connections strong!
Working Out: Staying Fit Together
Working Out: Staying Fit Together
Let’s face it: life isn’t going back to normal anytime soon. The days of hanging out with friends and getting our party on are still but a lovely memory. So, what can we do to keep our connection with friends intact while also making the Covid-19 days bearable, productive, and dare we say fun? We get fit of course.
You’ve heard it said before…friends that sweat together, stay together. And there is actually scientific proof of that. In a study published by Santa Clarita University, it was determined that we humans love to gravitate toward the exercise behaviors of those around us. The study showed that we are 95% more likely to finish a workout program if we do it with a buddy.
Of course, this isn’t only amazing news for our waistline but also to our relationship and friendships. If we are most likely to finish a program by doing it with our friends, this also means we get more bonding time with them.
We are very fortunate to live in a day in age where staying connected with friends is easier than ever. With apps like Nike Run Club, Strava, and Fitocracy to name a few, we can keep up with our friend’s achievements and challenge (or just join them) in everything from runs, to bike rides and hikes.
Doing these challenges as a couple adds an extra spark of motivation because, by nature, we tend to compete with other couples to gain their approval and validate our own relationship. As long as the competitiveness is being done in good fun and not hiding ulterior motives to put down our friends or our partner, this can be an excellent and healthy way to make the best out of our time.
Benefits:
The list of benefits to working out with friends this way is amazing.
- You make up your own rules.
- Most places you choose to attend are free.
- You get to bond with your friends and special other.
- You get to do all sorts of sight-seeing.
- …and the list goes on.
Go ahead and put the word out… The challenge is on!
Pandemic Safety: Socializing & Interacting Responsibly
While many of us have our physical health in mind right now for pandemic safety, we often forget that our mental health can also suffer during this time. Feelings of isolation and lack of socialization can harm our emotional wellbeing, but how do we reconcile that with the risk of meeting with friends?
If meeting in person isn’t necessary for you, virtual hangouts and dates have become immensely popular. With tools like Zoom and NetflixParty, couples and friends have started up different online activities to stay engaged while staying entirely safe. Some suggestions include book clubs, movie watching parties, and shared meals.
Some people prefer to meet and interact in person. If this is the case with you and your friends, it is important to weigh some risk factors. First, consider if anyone in the group or those they live with have a higher risk, such as an autoimmune disease. Also, take into account the activities you want to plan for. Outdoors events are safer, as are gatherings with fewer people that last shorter amounts of time. Of course, everyone must wear there mask as much as possible when together.
Socially distanced walking outside with masks is a low-risk way of interacting while still getting that in-person interactivity. You can catch up while also getting active, which is a challenge for many of us right now. Another great option is getting together in a park. In these public spaces, you can either have a relaxing chat or a bring-your-own-lunch picnic.
Regardless of how you choose to socialize during the pandemic, it is essential to adopt a harm-reduction philosophy. Balancing emotional wellbeing and your physical health is very difficult right now. Come up with a plan to safely and comfortably keep up with each other.
Long-Distance Relationship: 5 Tips for Making the Most Out of Them
Are you in a long-distance relationship? If so, you know that they can be extremely difficult, especially during a global pandemic. However, we know from experience that they can also be very rewarding.
The Downsides
Everyone knows the downsides of an LDR – you don’t get to spend as much time with your significant other as you would like. Rather than blossoming through shared experiences, the relationship’s focus on one-on-one conversation can become very intense very quickly.
The Benefits
But what about the benefits of an intercity, interstate, or intercountry relationship? Well, one of its potential downsides – intensity – is also one of its greatest benefits. The frequent phone calls, video chats, and e-mail conversations that are the hallmark of a long-distance relationship can allow couples to get to know one another deeply very quickly. This is great, but can get a little heavy at times.
We’ve got some ideas to lighten up your LDR with shared experiences.
- Play games together online. Maybe you like chess, or you’re both trivia junkies. There are options for these, and many other games on the Internet.
- Read the same book and talk about it.
- Watch a movie or TV show at the same time.
- Surprise your significant other with a care package that references inside jokes, memories and your shared likes.
- Learn together. Why not try a language or a cooking class together? You can find a number of live group classes on the Internet.
And when you do get to see one another, get out and experience things together.
One thing that long-distance couples can find challenging is the lack of a shared social life. This is where Couplr can help you once meeting strangers is popular and safe again! Create social connections during your visits by meeting your perfect couple match on our app. The time spent with other couples can push you out of your comfort zones and into uncharted, and thrilling, territory where you will grow together.