The fresh, sweet smell of spring is in the air! After a long, dreary Canadian winter of lockdowns and dragging myself out of my cozy, luscious bedsheets to follow some online workout video a few days a week, the blue skies and warm weather could not come sooner.
Maybe you’re itching to get outside and start your morning jogs again around the city (with COVID-19 safety protocol in mind), or maybe you live next to a ski resort and have been tearing it up on the hills all winter long.
Wherever you are, here are three outdoor activities you can do this spring, with alternatives depending on where you’re living, to get the blood flowing and the body moving while staying safe as we near the final stretch of the pandemic.
Related: Working Out Has Been the Only Thing to Keep Me Sane During Quarantine
- Break in your runners
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If you live in a rural area, a swift jog surrounded by the sounds of birds chirping while the sun rises sounds like a dream. Reacquaint yourself with the beauty of mother nature and the town you’re living in. If it’s permissible in your area, try socially distanced running with a buddy or a family member for a safer workout.
If you live in an urban area, jogging around Toronto at 7 a.m. and watching the city slowly wake up is my favorite way to start the day. Switch things up by taking different routes or setting a destination for your run — you could aim for the local dock one day and head to the Starbucks in the next borough over the next day. I like to run early in the morning because it means less pedestrians and cars clogging the sidewalk and the streets, which is more COVID-safe. That being said, everybody has different schedules and going out to get exercise is beneficial at any time of the day!
- Explore your surroundings
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If you live in a rural area, explore the different trails, parks, and pathways in your town. Try geocaching and discover something new. Alternatively, you could hold non-contact scavenger hunts. Hide knick-knacks (and maybe hand sanitizers too) around the area, and then challenge your friends to find them, sending Snapchat hints of your whereabouts to them as you plant your items down.
If you live in an urban area, the best part about downtown is that there’s always something going on, even during the pandemic. Make a day out of walking around and discovering cool, new spots in the city. If you’re in a city with lots of food options, you could go street vendor food-tasting with your roommate or a family member. This idea could also double as a fun date or a way to catch up with a friend. Make sure you’re wearing face masks and washing your hands regularly. Take this time to find the hidden gems in your city so that when the pandemic is over, you’ll know the area like the back of your hand.
- Take up a new sport
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If you live in a rural area, the possibilities here are really endless. Get back on the old bike sitting in your garage, or shoot hoops at your high school’s outdoor court. Play tennis with a friend, or organize a small soccer or football scrimmage with your family members. If you live near a body of water or a beach, take up sailing or canoeing, or organize a beach volleyball match. Try something new and set mini goals for yourself. You could be killing the game by the time summer rolls around.
If you live in an urban area, you can still run pickup basketball or soccer with people inside your bubble. It’s more populated and crowded for space in the city, but if you wear face masks, find a less busy time, and an empty field, this option is viable. If you’ve got a skateboard or roller skates lying around, find a skate park (or even an open concrete space) and teach yourself some new tricks or cruise around the area. Alternatively, you could also try yoga in the park or on your apartment balcony.
Once you step out into sunshine, you’ll find there are plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors without sacrificing anybody’s safety, whether you’re living on a farm or cooped up in a downtown condo.