CATEGORIES
CATEGORIESIf you’re like us, then getting outdoors is key to your mental health. Our very name, Active Junky, indicates our flat-out addiction to outdoor adventure. But with the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down entire states and the unconditional need for social distancing, it’s important that we all rethink how we enjoy the great outdoors. In this article, we’ll break down a few key points to consider, and then we’ll discuss seven ways to get outside during the coronavirus pandemic.
Experts agree that social distancing—isolating ourselves as much as possible to reduce disease transmission—is essential to curbing the spread of coronavirus and “flattening the curve.” But that doesn’t mean that we can’t enjoy spending time in nature or getting exercise outdoors. It just means that we have to do so thoughtfully. Instead of going for a run or a bike ride with a big group, for example, go by yourself early in the morning when trails aren’t crowded, or, better yet, purchase a bike trainer so that you can turn your deck into a spin class.
Keep in mind: social distancing is recommended for healthy individuals. If you are symptomatic, it is important that you isolate yourself completely. And because COVID-19 can be asymptomatic, it is equally critical that you self-quarantine for 14 days if you have been in contact with a potential case.
While going climbing, hiking, skiing, or biking might be integral to your own personal mental health, this situation is bigger than our own individual needs. Due to the fact that coronavirus can be asymptomatic, you may transmit the disease unwittingly to at-risk members of society for whom a bout with coronavirus may prove fatal. In fact, while mainstream media is most concerned with fatality statistics, many people who recover from COVID-19 may have decreased lung function—all this to say that the pandemic is no joke and needs to be taken seriously, no matter the demographics of your immediate community.
Furthermore, even if we are social distancing while participating in outdoor activities, we are undeniably risking injury. Usually, this risk feels like a personal decision, but now, the consequences of our actions reverberate through our communities. With hospitals bursting at the seams and more coronavirus cases sure to come, breaking an arm or tearing an ACL places an unnecessary burden on the health care system. If you are going to partake in outdoor activities, it’s a smart idea to dial back the intensity—pick a mellower ski line or a less aggressive bike ride to minimize the risk of injury.
Have a ski trip planned or a climbing trip in the works? Now is a good time to cancel all travel and stick to your own backyard. Coronavirus transmission isn’t the only concern with traveling at the moment—mountain towns typically have small hospitals that aren’t equipped to handle an outbreak of this magnitude, and out-of-town guests put undue stress on an already frail health care system. Flights might be cheap, but don’t be tempted!
In a recent Instagram post, the American Alpine Club said it best: “Friends, We're concerned about transmission of COVID-19 to rural or gateway communities. These remote towns often have limited access to medical facilities and their closely-knit, interconnected social structures are more prone to the spread of infection.
Please keep places like Bishop, Fayetteville, Moab, Springdale, and Slade as safe as possible by limiting recreation-based travel at this time. If you have a trip planned, please reschedule until we are through this health emergency. This is not the time to head to the desert or rally to your favorite national park for ‘social distancing.’ While outdoor time is necessary for each of us during this turbulent period, we need to stay local and limit our interaction with vulnerable communities.”
Due to the speed at which this situation is evolving, it’s important to stay up-to-date on local laws and regulations. It’s certainly possible that outdoor recreation will soon be prohibited, and if so, it’s important that you don’t sidestep these rules.
Please keep in mind, if you are ever concerned that your outdoor activities are putting your community at risk, it’s a good time to step back and reassess.
If you are lucky enough to have a backyard, now’s the time to use it. Especially if you have kids, consider this an opportunity to set up a tent in the backyard and have a good old-fashioned campout.
Make the most of your backyard or deck—turn that space into a makeshift gym or an outdoor yoga studio so that you can score some sweat and sunshine from the comfort of your own home.
If you’re a climber, you can practice knots, set up anchors, and work on rope systems in your backyard. If you’re a backcountry skier, practice using your beacon. If you’re a surfer, start a breathwork regimen. Use this opportunity to work on fundamentals so that when you do go out on an adventure, you’re ready for it.
At the time of writing, going for a walk or a run is an acceptable way to get some exercise during the pandemic. Running in nature is ideal—remember, we’re trying to stay as far away from people as possible—but if you live in a city and that’s not an option for you, we recommend running at odd hours so as to minimize your risk of exposure and transmission. Regardless of how healthy you, your running partner, and everyone around you seems, it’s crucial that you follow social distancing guidelines and stay a minimum of six feet apart. That might mean you can’t pass a slower party on the trail, but so be it!
The ski resorts may have halted chairlifts, but that doesn’t mean ski season is over. Backcountry skiing goes hand-in-hand with social distancing, so it’s an awesome activity to pursue during the coronavirus pandemic. That being said, backcountry travel is also an inherently dangerous activity and one that requires proper avalanche safety gear and avalanche safety training.
If you’re an experienced backcountry skier, dial down your risk—search and rescue crews are already strained due to the pandemic, and hospitals don’t need to deal with another body. If you are interested in getting into the backcountry for the first time, unfortunately, now is not the best time to learn.
If there’s a more meditative outdoor activity than fly fishing, we certainly haven’t found it. Head to your local stream, river, pond, or lake and try your luck—the simple act of casting is a source of therapy during these chaotic times. Or, if you don’t have a body of water nearby, tie some flies so that your fly boxes are well-stocked for your next adventure.
While public pools and gyms are exactly the kinds of crowded places you want to avoid if they aren’t already closed, consider going for a swim if you do live near a pond or lake. Swimming is one of the best full-body workouts known to man and it’s a great way to get fit, clear your head, and distance yourself from society.
Disclaimer: Again, this situation is rapidly evolving. While we are all about staying fit and getting outside, local health recommendations and federal guidelines take precedence. Keep an ear to the ground, act accordingly, and stay positive.
