Covid-19 has been hard on all of us. It’s been rough being stuck indoors for much of the day, with many of our favorite activities or places to go being closed or at limited capacity.
Add in a brutally cold winter and it all makes you wish for one thing. Spring! It can’t come soon enough. Here are some nice ideas for activities that will take advantage of the nice spring weather yet still keep you safe.
1 – Take Long Walks
Long walks are a great way to get outside in any weather. Not only will it get you some much needed fresh air, it helps keep you healthier and more active. Walks have also been shown to improve your mental state, because they release endorphins which can help decrease stress.
If you find yourself getting bored, try listening to music, a good podcast, or audiobook. Or you can practice mindfulness while on a walk and work on being present in the space you are in, focusing on the sights, sounds, and smells around you.
If you are feeling adventurous, try walking to an area you have never been before or check if your city has a self guided walking tour. It could be a great way to learn something new and burn off some calories!
2 – Go to a Park
If you followed the previous advice, this could be the destination of your walk. Taking advantage of whatever green space you can is extremely important. According to the Trust for Public Land, parks help with psychological and social health.
Next time you go to a park, have a picnic! Sit on the grass and enjoy it. Spring is an especially great time to enjoy because the flowers have just started to bloom. There is nothing like smelling a flower garden on a fresh spring day. Just make sure you have some sun protection with either a canopy, sunscreen or protective clothing like men’s or women’s visors.
If there are no kids around, embarrass yourself a little and play on the playground. It’s still enjoyable to swing on a swing or go down a slide, and it’s a great way to have fun and reconnect with your inner-child. You are only as old as you feel!
3 – Start a Garden
Whether you have a green thumb or not, planting a garden this spring is a great way to get outdoors and get your hands dirty. Try growing some of your own veggies this spring.
Nothing tastes better than a fresh salad from your own garden. You may also want to consider planting wildflowers or native plants in your garden to help support local insect populations.
4 – Go Camping
Camping is one of the few businesses which wasn’t affected by the coronavirus. The entire camping industry had a banner year. It’s not hard to see why, you get to see some of the most beautiful places in the county while also socially distancing from people at the same time. Camping was seen as the safest type of vacation in the past year.
Take advantage by planning a trip up to the mountains, the closest beach or nature preserve and enjoy unplugging and getting away from it all. Seeing the stars glowing in the night sky or sitting around a campfire and reconnecting with friends or family are moments that will last a lifetime.
Don’t forget to pack your essential camping gear, including sturdy tents, sleeping bags, cooking utensils, and of course, beach hats for sun protection during your outdoor adventures.
5 – Sit on a Patio
Now that things have finally started to open back up again, a great way to support local businesses and still stay safe is to grab a nice meal or drink at your favorite restaurant or bar while sitting outside on a patio. Enjoy socializing and connecting with people again in person instead of over a video screen.
Final Thoughts
These are just some of many ways that you can get outside this spring and get back to enjoying life. Hopefully these have sparked a desire or maybe even some ideas of your own. Enjoy!
