If I had heard the phrase, “safety in the outdoors” just a few years ago I would’ve thought it was in reference to how to remain safe outside in nature, or how to be prepared if you are walking alone at night. Now in light of the global pandemic, there is new meaning in the phrase, safety in the outdoors.
The outdoors allows for plenty of space for social distancing as well as unlimited fresh air. I know this, because I often head out to the nature park trails to get plenty of space for myself. I have always done this when I wanted to be alone and restore. It provides time to think without interruption and I can take space from people, my problems and the fast-paced world we live in. And this world, is moving so darn fast.
It can be hard to put the shoes on and head out the door. Trust me. I am the first to object to the heat, the humidity or the chill in the air. There is a small window of perfectly degreed weather that I won’t fuss about. It is silly really, because in spite of unfavorable temperatures and weather conditions, I always come back feeling better. I have always loved looking at the landscape as I walked and coming across friendly dogs and cats that crossed my path in the neighborhood. Now living in the Texas hill country, I am on alert for a whole new set of sights and sounds. It is more common now to notice deer and so many colorful wildflowers while hearing a rooster’s crow, a donkey’s alarm call, and hawks over head that are on the hunt for their next meal.
I have noticed many outdoor adventures since the pandemic began. Honestly, it is nice to see so many people outdoors moving around. I think we’ve all gotten a bit of cabin fever since the original lock down and so many people taking care of working and schooling from their homes. I even found myself and a few other brave souls walking through the snowy streets during the crazy Texas snow, and you know how I feel about a chill in the air! But to get outside meant I wasn’t isolated indoors. That meant everything after a lockdown.
In spite of all the fresh air and the ability to social distance outside, there is another kind of safety that the outdoors has gifted us. To be outside is a form of self- care. It’s a pro-active way to hep stabilize our mental health when we cannot take the isolation of the house for another minute. It’s a screen free zone where we can rest our eyes and our minds. Being out in nature is a safe and healthy coping skill that works for all ages and stages of life. The research is plentiful on the benefits we get from engaging in nature. It will always be available to us and it offers a safety net when we feel isolated and sad, or claustrophobic and anxious. Open the door and let yourself out. Take deep breaths and engage your sense. Feel the air, listen to the birds and the locusts, and look for the wildflowers and see how many colors you can find.
Adventure on,
Amy