Many people are becoming antsier because of the persistence of stay-at-home orders in many areas of the country. This makes outdoor activities an excellent way to change the scenery.
However, not all outdoor activities are allowed to proceed because we are currently in the middle coronavirus epidemic. There are many safe outdoor activities. Unfortunately, there are also some that you cannot do right now.
It all boils down to social distance or keeping at least six feet from other people living outside your home. This is an important principle of COVID-19 prevention. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the highest risk of coronavirus infection occurs when people live in close proximity. This makes it easier for the respiratory droplets of a sick person to get into the nose or mouth of another person and can cause them to become ill. (Of course, this is not the only way to get the virus. That’s why we are being extra careful about cleaning high-touch surfaces.
Take a walk in the natural world
Going for a walk can be a great option if you are looking for some fresh air and not feeling the need to do a harder workout. It will get you outside, and if you choose the right destination, you can also de-stress.
Michelle Smith Walker, the SELF reader, says that “taking daily walks around the lake is calming and I enjoy the scenery.”
She is supported by research. This strategy may prove to be particularly useful now that our daily lives are already stressful. A 2020 study found that people with chronic stress experienced by their lives saw a greater reduction in the stress hormone cortisol when they spent 40 minutes outside than those who were indoors or watched nature programming on TV. The participants also reported a greater improvement in their mood afterward.
You can go “camping” right in your backyard
Traditional camping has been put on hold due to the closure of many campgrounds. If you have a yard, you can create a similar atmosphere in your backyard. This could be as simple as setting up a picnic outside, building a tent, or fort, or gathering around the fire pit.
Rachel Wieser Haggerton, the SELF reader, describes their firepit as an oasis. It makes them feel like they are on vacation even though it’s not in their plans right now.
She says, “We have four members of our family, and we need a place to get away alone or as a family to just relax, so we gather around the fire to talk about our day, movies or funny events, make s’mores, and pretend we are camping.”
Get ready for a run
Running is a great choice for anyone who wants to exercise and get out of their house.
“I don’t run a lot, but I have been running more recently to get outside and do it without any music or noise,” Dane Miklaus C.S.C.S. CEO of Work training center in Irvine, California. It’s very relaxing to just focus on your breathing.
Be courteous to people outside. If you see someone in front of you, cross the street. To make it less likely that you will have to blow your nose while running, you can use an over-the-counter nasal spray.
If you live in a densely populated area, it may be a good idea to run during the day. These products are great for keeping you visible if you run in the dark.
Explore your city
You probably have a route planned down to the minute when you are in a rush. You might miss out on some great (and nearby!) places. You might be missing out on some great (and close by!) places in your town or city.
Casey Gueren, the executive editor at SELF, has made it a point of walking on less-traveled paths during her regular walks.
She says, “I basically play a game called Frogger where I walk wherever it looks interesting and there isn’t anyone in the way.” “I have been able to see some amazing, interesting parts of my neighborhood because I stayed in the parks directly in front of my apartment. They are too crowded on weekends for me to feel peaceful walking around there.
Lisa Brown, SELF’s production assistant uses a similar strategy every time she needs to run errands like shopping at the grocery store.
She says, “It helps me feel better, especially because I’m always inside.” “All the side streets have beautiful houses and buildings that make it a peaceful walk.”
Jump rope!
Jumping rope is a great way to get outside and do some exercise. Suspended wood decks are great for joint-cushioning surfaces. However, you can also purchase a mat to cover concrete or other hard surfaces as SELF recently reported.
Jumping from the ground requires that you use your wrists to control the rope’s movement. Engage your core and land on your feet, not your heels. To improve ankle stability, jump only one to two inches above the ground.
You might give it a try. You can try the jump rope strength workout, jump rope HIIT workout, or jump rope endurance workout. These fun options can be done in under 20 minutes.
Photograph some of your surroundings
Frances Dumlao, SELF’s social media manager, uses her outdoor time for creativity. She brings her camera to find beautiful flowers and takes pictures.
“I live in a big city and I rarely see greenery at any time of the year.” She says that spring is a time when the city blooms with tulips and daffodils, magnolias, and cherry blossoms. It’s a reminder to me to “smell the roses”–that even in this strange time, there are small things I can be thankful for. My flower photos are also shared on social media so others can find some joy.
Get some food
Gardening can be a very relaxing activity. You could also end up with delicious, free fruits, vegetables, or herbs.
Melissa Alfano, the SELF reader, considers vegetable gardening to be one of her favorite outdoor activities for her entire family.
She says, “We are teaching our preschoolers plants, so it is fun, relaxing, and educational.”
Get up and down some stairs
Even if running is not your thing, there are still ways to get in a vigorous cardio workout outdoors.
Lauren Leavell is a NASM-certified personal coach and barre instructor. She has been using the stairs at her local train station to do HIIT training.
Play outside
Do you remember the pure joy of playing outside as a child? You can recreate that feeling now by spending some time outside, but it’s not structured.
Sivan, an ACE-certified personal coach, enjoys spending time outdoors with Chai, her puppy.
She says that she loves to play with her puppy and that he has lots of energy. “I go outside whenever I need to center my mind, calm down, or practice gratitude. It’s like a pause key I can press throughout the day to reset my mind and get in touch with myself.