Social Distancing: Step Outside Safely!

In our last blog, we talked about the benefits of spending time outside during these strange and uncertain times. It seems like with the rapidly-changing situation surrounding the Coronavirus pandemic, more people are being forced to stay at home every day.

At the very least, the majority of the country has been encouraged to practice “social distancing,” which means staying away from public places and not allowing gatherings of more than ten people.

As a result, many people are cooped up in their houses.

But, social distancing doesn’t mean you can’t get outside. As you already know, getting some fresh air has many health benefits. But, it’s also important to do it safely in times like these. So, let’s go over some tips on how you can still enjoy your time outdoors while practicing social distancing.

Stay Close to Home

As stated above, it seems like things keep changing all the time. There are new closures and restrictions to consider every day, so it’s a good idea to experience the great outdoors close to home. If you live near a park or hiking trail, take advantage of it!

But, even if you can only take a walk around the block, it can give you a boost of energy and make you feel better after being cooped up for so long. Don’t ignore your own backyard, too! Spring has finally sprung and getting outside to do some yard work or just to enjoy it can be fun.

Stay Away from Crowds

Many national parks across the country have waived their entry fees due to this crisis, in an effort to get more people outside. While that’s a great initiative, you should also use caution if you’re going to a popular public place. Even outdoors, things can get crowded! If you get to your favorite park (whether it’s national or local) and you see that there are a lot of people there, it’s best to avoid the area and find another place to get active.

Don’t Add Extra Stops

Getting outside doesn’t mean stopping by the store on your way home, or getting a cup of coffee from your favorite shop, or filling up the car with gas. If you have certain things you absolutely need to do, that’s different. But, don’t use your time outside as an excuse to frequent a bunch of different places. Use it as a break from being cooped up, and then get safely home. The more places you go, the more you risk exposure.

Stay Up to Date With Changes

Because things seem to change so rapidly with this pandemic, one of the best things you can do is to listen to CDC guidelines as well as local suggestions and orders within your community or state. More states are going into “lockdown” mode, which limits what you can and can’t do. But, in most cases, even lockdowns don’t prevent you from getting outside and taking a walk around your neighborhood.

As you head outside during this time, it’s important to be smart and to be safe. Eventually, we’ll all get through this, and finding some peace in nature can actually help to make it easier.