When growing up, my mom used to say “Go outside and get the stink blowed off of ya”. While yes, I did bathe regulary, she always seemed to know when I was bored of the indoors.
Going outside is theraputic. The stink my mom was referring to was the dust in my mind. She knew that if I went outside and played, I’d get “reset”.
Humans are like that. We need a constant change of scenery. There’s a reason they call it “cabin fever”.
The current COVID-19 situation
As a result of significanly less commuting, one HUGELY positive benefit human kind is receiving? The air is literally cleaner than it’s been in years. Check out these pictures from space of China. It’s like Mother Earth is in cleanse mode. A reset of sorts. Even the canals in Venice, Italy are clear enough to see the fish!
So many people working from home right now, or sadly, not at all all. The first couple of days is always great. The liberation of no commute is clutch. Especially us super commuters – those who commute more than an hour in each direction. For Gary, it’s 2 hours in each direction, yuck.
The giddiness of conducting business from home. Your home office. It could be a separate room, a desk in the basement, or placing your laptop on the kitchen table. Doesn’t matter, it’s your new office.
Then just as quickly, the novelty wears off and you begin to go stir crazy.
What is it possible do?
The boundaries of what we’re allowed to do has been morphing, so it’s always good to check with your local and state governments to see what’s allowed. If you can’t get out but have internet, there’s some pretty awesome virtual tours you can take.
Park tours (click here for more info) – what? With today’s technology, you can go to place never dreamed of. The cameras are so much better than they used to be! These tours have crazy good definition making them feel like you’re there.
Museum tours (click here for more info) – a lot of museums are going digital for a lot of reasons. Documenting history is one. Offering online information is another.
While still practicing the rules of social distancing and keeping yourself safe, taking advantage of the outdoors during good weather often helps clear the mind.
If you can and are allowed to…
Try getting outside a little. Of course this gets more complicated if you live in the city. For those in the burbs or country, not so much.
No matter where you live, hiking/walking outdoors breathing in nice fresh air in sunny weather can help to restore your mind! Often you can walk to get to your local park and don’t need to burn gas to get there.
In the City
Unless there’s a complete ban on outdoor activity, there are many different distractions in almost every major city. Self guided “tours” if you will.
In Washington, DC, in just 3 days, the Cherry Blossom Festival bloom season peaks on March 21. The activities that create crowds are obviously canceled, but the blossoms are still being encouraged for viewing. See updates here.
Boston, MA has the Freedom Trail. It’s spread throughout the city and all you need is a map, which you can get online. After that, the history is yours for the learning!
Philadelphia, PA has a similar trail called The Historic American Revolution Trail of Philadelphia that takes you to Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell (which can only be viewed through the windows currently).
Even in New York City, Madison Square Garden is pretty big and can probably accommodate a lot of people without violating the rules.
More rural but still kind of a city thing, is the Appalachian Trail – Harper’s Ferry trail/hike. This one can be accessed from a great parking area, and, you get to choose between several hiking trails. That means you’re not specifically restricted to hiking the town of Harper’s Ferry where there’s fascinating history. Or you can take off into the mountains and lose yourself for a couple of days.
In the Burbs
Due to some excellent planning in almost every suburban location, there are a myriad of parks and park systems that you can lose yourself in nowadays. In the Tri-State area of MD, PA, and DE, there are some dozens of miles of trails you can hike, bike, or even ride a horse on. A number of trails allow dogs (as long as you clean up after them).
Some are tucked inside housing developments like the William M. Redd Junior Park. Others could almost be considered vast like the White Clay Creek Park, that has some 40 miles of trails in and around numerous housing developments.
In the Country
Obviously this is the easiest of all to practice social distancing and proper hygienics during this time.
Places like the Appalachian Trail – Snickers Gap and Bald Mountain offer peace and solace without much interaction issue. That is depending on how many others take advantage of it.
Pick a spot close by and go for it. You may encounter others, but that shouldn’t be an issue. In fact, on most trails, just negotiating the trail itself requires social distancing.
The Wrap Up
One of the key issues is to look for ways to unwind and look at different scenery for a while to provide the reset you need.
Whatever you do, do it responsibly and within the restrictions required for your location. Check the rules. It’s important that while we need to remain sane, we also need to be good stewards.
Have fun, try to relax with some history and/or nature, but most importantly, stay safe!
PHOTO CREDIT for featured image: Cabin Fever Movie – IFC MIDNIGHT