Years ago, children used to play outdoors most of the time. But those days are long gone. The era of cellphones and gizmos have grounded children indoors. Even adults are now spending less time outdoors. Most are content with staying at home as long as they have their gadgets and a strong internet connection.
We might all think that with adults and children staying at home most of the time, families have more quality time with each other. But we are so wrong! The advent of smartphones and other smart gadgets have created a disconnect among people. Individuals are now more content with just typing on their phones instead of talking with friends or family. Teenagers are no longer as interested in socializing with people their age outside of their social media profiles. Face to face interactions are slowly losing their allure and are being replaced by virtual interactions.
This pattern may be quite useful for the pandemic, where people are advised to stay indoors and keep their distance from other people. However, staying indoors all the time also has its disadvantages. It has implications that can affect the overall well-being of a person adversely. For this, experts advise that individuals enjoy the outdoors from time to time. They do not have to mingle with many people outside of their circle as a safety precaution due to the pandemic, but they may relish the beauty of nature with their family and close friends.
Below are some ways to enjoy the outdoors and relish the beauty of nature despite the pandemic.
Go Hiking
This is a good way to enjoy the outdoors without the danger of contracting the dreaded COVID-19 since this does not require mingling with other people a lot. This can be done alone or with just one or two friends or loved ones. Hiking improves blood sugar levels and enhances blood pressure. It also strengthens the core, lowers the risk of getting heart diseases, improves balance, strengthens the glutes and hamstrings, and helps control weight. Hiking does not require expensive equipment to be enjoyed. Just having a pair of hiking boots, sun protection cream and glasses, food and water, and some other essential supplies will do.
Have a Picnic
This is one of the best ways to commune with nature. A picnic at the beach, the park, or any scenic locations is enough to relax the mind and drive the stress away. Especially when phones are not allowed, a picnic is a good way to emotionally reconnect with family members. It is also a good way to spend quality time with them.
Go Swimming
Swimming is not only a recreational activity; it is a low-impact workout as well. It not only allows people to commune and enjoy the beauty of nature but also give them countless health benefits. Swimming can lead to toned muscles, improved strength, higher endurance, and better cardiovascular fitness. It keeps the heart rate up without putting so much pressure on the body. It also relieves stress, improves flexibility, and cools the body down on a sweltering day. Additionally, it improves balance, posture, and coordination.
Go Stargazing
The night sky is as beautiful as the green landscape. Stargazing is an exciting activity that relieves stress and frees the mind from worries even for a short period. The best thing about this activity is that this can be done without going far from home. People can spend quality time with their families just staring up at the stars and enjoying the beauty of the night sky. A tent can be set up outside of the home for more a comfortable stargazing activity, and family members can exchange wonderful stories while enjoying the sparkling, starry skies above.
Set Up a Bonfire
Apart from getting people close to nature, bonfires have health benefits backed by research. According to a study made by the University of Alabama, sitting by a bonfire reduces blood pressure and relaxes the mind. Bonfires are a good way to bond not only with nature but with friends and loved ones as well. Having a casual conversation as the light flickers and as the wood makes a crackling sound can bring back memories of the good old days. People socialize and enjoy each other’s company face to face before the advent of smartphones and gadgets took all those away.
Spending time with nature and relishing the beauty it offers have positive impacts on the mind and body. Staying indoors most of the time does the opposite, although the comfort of the home also brings some positive reassurance of rest after a full day of hard work.
