Getting a little stir crazy? As we all adjust to this new way of being, we are recalibrating what it means to connect with nature. While screen time is up across the country for good reason, we are trying to focus on the all of the ways we can stay connected with the outdoors and stave off the cabin fever. It has been proven time and again that green spaces help people feel calmer and less stressed, and during a worldwide pandemic that is something we all could use!
So here are a few ideas to get you going on some outdoor time. These ideas can be done while still complying with social distancing and sanitation requirements:
Set up a picnic outdoors and soak up the sun. ☀️🥪
Head over to your neighborhood park for some exercise. 🏃🌳
Start the garden you have always dreamed of! Most supplies can be ordered online, making this a feasible project during shelter-in-place. This can be done in a yard or even just a windowsill. 🥕👩🌾
Download iNaturalist and start uploading all of the different plant and wildlife encounters you have while outdoors. You’ll help provide data to scientists, connect with other nature enthusiasts and identify and learn about different organisms! 👩🔬
Take some time to care for the plants living around you by weeding, watering and pruning when necessary. ✂️🌹
Go for a walk and observe the sights of your neighborhood. 🚶♂️<——>🚶♀️
Do an at-home exercise class in your yard or in a nearby park. 🏋️
Set up a reading spot and catch up on a book you’ve been meaning to tackle.📖
If you have young kids at home, you could set up an obstacle course and have a mini-competition. 🚸👨👨👦👦
Download eBird and start tracking the birds that visit your home. You’ll be able to identify the birds you see and share your sightings with the birding community. 🐦
Break out the chalk and decorate your driveway or walkway! 👩🎨🎨
Do some stargazing and try to identify the constellations you can see. 🌟🌠
We are deeply committed to Pease Park and all green spaces. Now more than ever, we see how essential nature is to everyone’s physical, mental and social well-being. We are going to keep sharing ways for our community to connect with nature while we all weather this storm. Have an idea? Send it over to Casey@peasepark.org! We would love to hear from you!