As school districts and businesses continue to close, we’re all practicing social distancing and shrinking our network to help slow the spread of COVID-19. We’re allowing our heathcare system to respond without being overwhelmed. And this means staying at home; only going out when necessary.
At the same time, we know that time spent outdoors has many benefits; among many others, it raises levels of vitamin D, lowers stress, and reduces inflammation. And the feeling of “awe” and peacefulness generated by time in nature has been proven to promote creativity, generosity, and empathy- all things we need to practice at times like this.
So, how can we ensure that we get some of these benefits and take a break from being indoors, while following the guidance of global health experts and keeping our community safe?
A few ideas for families hunkering down in SF and the Bay Area:
Hiking: We can still do this, provided we don’t engage with others outside of our necessary network. For me, this means my nuclear family only. On national park, state park, or city park trails, as long as we can maintain significant distance from others (we let our kiddos know we’d head to a backup location if the first looked too busy). Check online ahead of time for bathroom closures, and preferably (or perhaps necessarily), use your own facilities before you leave home. Try hikes in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area , Bay Area CA State Parks and SF city parks .
Or, the “Hike Disguised as Something Else”: On a beach, trail or the sidewalk in your neighborhood, try a scavenger hunt using a Polaroid camera or other non-shared device, or a notebook to document your findings. For the artistic, use the hike as inspiration to sketch or doodle along the way.
Turfing- The Modern Day Scavenger Hunt: try “gamifying” your hike or bike ride! With a map full of “zones,” players attempt to amass points. In general, these zones are in scenic places, accessed by walking or biking, and are not populated areas. Read more Turf and how to play
Forest Bathing and thoughts on immersing ourselves for personal reflection and mental & spiritual wellness
De-Stress in a Labyrinth: Reduce COVID-19 anxiety by creating your own labyrinth. Labyrinths are contemplative designs, designed to focus the mind and calm the spirit. Use chalk, rocks, or even a stick in the sand to create your masterpiece.
Birdwatching: While I’m not a birder, I often find myself stopping mid-hike to observe birds; from the pedestrian bridge at Crissy Field or at the north edge of Lake Merced. Birdwatching can be a way to practice mindfulness and enjoy the solitude.
Remember that the goal is first to always maintain social distance and not expand your network- keeping to the people you must interact with (ideally, just those with whom you live). If we can ensure that, we can then get outdoors while hunkering down.