written by Megan Rod
With new developments in the spread of COVID-19 happening every day, federal and state governments are creating boundaries for the population in order to slow the pace of the virus’ outbreak. Limitations put in place keep vulnerable people safe and flatten the curve of infection don’t interfere with our connection to those we live with, but the new phenomenon called social distancing is taking a toll on social interaction. Here at Wilderness Inquiry we prefer to refer to it as physical distancing rather than social distancing – being quarantined doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy the social company of others!
While these restrictions interfere with everyday activities, there are still silver linings that can be found. Perhaps the best example of this is how the outbreak has motivated people to spend more time outside or take a few moments to self-reflect. Fortunately there are plenty of places to explore on your own or with small groups of people. If the following ideas are mindfully paired with social distancing, we can all maintain physical and emotional well-being.
Try relaxing outside your own home! Sit on your porch, front steps, or anywhere else that is comfortable to you. Bring your favorite drink outside, leave your phone in the house, and read a book while catching a breath of fresh air (recommended read: Reflections from the North Country by Sigurd Olson.) Fresh air helps the immune system by supplying your white blood cells with oxygen, increasing the functionality of your lungs, and also boosting serotonin-levels (score!)
Missing being able to sleep under the stars? Set up a backyard (or even indoor!) camp-out. An underrated source of fun, a camp-out can be enjoyed regardless of how much space you have to utilize. This activity is empowering because it allows you to spend time alone in the elements for a night (or in the comfort of your home), and ultimately makes you appreciate the your own bed the following evening. Space permitting you could even add a bonfire and maybe roast some food you find in your kitchen over the flames for dinner!
Take up a hobby you have always wanted to learn. There are lots of activities you can do by yourself or physically distanced from others. Wood burning, clay-sculpting, and collaging, just to name a few. Learning a new language is another great hobby to dedicate your time to. You can find guides to American Sign Language online, or download an app to assist you with verbal languages.
Learn to identify local species of birds, plants, or fish! Dust off that old field guide you have on your shelf and teach yourself about the natural world! Even if it is only one mammal or amphibian a day, this is a fantastic way to learn information that is relevant to your surroundings. Bonus – it can make for a great scavenger-hunt on your next walk or hike.
Do a spring deep cleaning. Maybe you have a lot of items in storage that you have been meaning to donate, or simply want to organize. Or, perhaps there are a lot of miscellaneous things in your yard that just take up space. Turn on some music and make a point to sort through everything and drop off any bags of donation items in a donation drop-box. This benefits both you and the community. If you have others help you with this task, designate separate areas for your work space versus theirs (ex. you handle the basement while they clean the yard). This makes physical distancing much more effective.
Give meditation and journaling a try. Be alone with your thoughts and process them, while accepting how you feel in the moment. Journaling daily is a way to “talk” to something in private and have your ideas somewhere other than your mind. Even if you can only dedicate five minutes a day to write down keywords, this is an outlet to express your deepest concerns and hopes. Find a nice place outside to write, away from people and noise.
The fast-paced society that we are accustomed to has come to a halt. While the situation we currently find ourselves in is far from ideal, it’s the perfect opportunity to slow down and enjoy life at a more leisurely pace. Be sure to do so!
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