Enjoying Summer Without Risking your Health

Tired of academic activities and horrible traffic jams? This is probably the season that people like most!

Summer is finally here and most of us who have been staying at home for months are excited to enjoy summer activities outside. But the unceasing threat of the COVID-19 is still imminent over us. Though some places are beginning to reopen, the virus is not yet gone. Summer is now in full swing, this means anything from traveling, beach bumming, taking up swimming lessons, and summer workshops. Amidst all these, we need to be reminded of the risks and the safety guidelines that we should keep in mind.

It may not be our perfect idea for summer but we should still be thankful that we are still strong and healthy, being able to read this right now unlike the others who are laying on the gloomy beds of an emergency room fighting for their lives. We can still do exciting things at home and outdoors while observing physical distancing and health protocols to make summer 2021 pleasurable. We can find the balance between safe outdoor activities and creative ways to stay cool in the summer, even during this pandemic.

Take advantage of this moment as quality time with your family. With all these amazing benefits of a supportive social network, you will understand that spending time with family is valuable. It is fun to invite friends and family to spend time together because it adds a significant aspect to your physical health and mental well-being. You may put down your phone and create some fun and meaningful memories at home.

Here are some ways to embrace your pandemic summer:

Stay Physically Active

Summer is a good time to get into a more active lifestyle. Staying physically active is one of the best ways to keep your mental health stable. Going for a walk, running, biking or hiking can give you a healthy dose of sunshine. Visiting parks and other open areas are great ways to stay active while staying at a safe distance from the crowd. But before considering this, the IATF recommends visiting less popular outdoor areas where there is limited sharing of items. So even if some of the public pools, beaches, and playgrounds are reopening, these are still areas of greater risk.

It is a good idea to check the facility you are visiting first to see if they are regularly cleaned and disinfected.

Plan your Travel Wisely

With the COVID-19 still going on, the need to get away and feel refreshed feels more necessary than before. Since some of the air travel has resumed, it can still be a risk, but if you are getting bored at home, you can have a personal vacation with your family or a selected group that has been quarantined to ensure your safety. Choose a travel spot outside the metro and book a cozy vacation house. Recreation is still limited in some areas so be sure to check the travel guidelines before heading to your destination.

Going outside to eat is also an enjoyable option. Since some of the restaurants are reopening, ensure the precautions they are practicing before bringing your family in to reduce the risk of infection. Outdoor dining is a good option for lower risk. If you are also fully vaccinated, it is much safer but this does not mean that traveling is risk-free. Many people, including children, are still unvaccinated. It might affect your travel plans.

Explore More Activities at Home by Spending More Time With Your Family

This is the perfect time to recreate with family members. You can be creative in the activity you are planning to do at home. If you miss swimming so much you can still splash with your kids by setting up an inflatable swimming pool at the comfort of your home. All you have to do is choose a spot at your home like your garden where you can set everything up and prepare snacks for the whole family while soaking at the pool for long hours.

Having a backyard picnic is also a good idea. Making your favorite barbeque and fried potatoes while watching your kids splashing in the pool. You may also chill and unwind on your summer weekend at home.

You can set up camp and pitch a tent in your home backyard and bring in foldable chairs, pillows, and soft blankets for lounging around the tent. Upgrade your entertainment at home by playing old board games by challenging one another or listening to relaxing music.

Watching movies together after dinner is one of the best while eating your favorite popcorn. Spending time with family builds confidence for all of its members. Establish a habit of talking through problems together to relieve the stress we obtained from the pandemic today.

No matter what you choose to do, there are still a lot of activities you can do to indulge your summer. Everyone should practice continuing everyday prevention. Count your gratitude moments. This may look different from the past summers we had, it may indeed be difficult, but at the same time, it is an opportunity to think about what is good in our lives and what good may have come out of this situation. You don’t have to absolutely give up the activities you love to do at this time of the year. You just need a pocket of patience and creativity to come up with new and sensational ways to spend your summer safely.

Source: blog.medstarwashington.org