In response to the
extreme rise in Wisconsin's COVID-19 cases Evers issued Executive Order 94 pleading with Wisconsinites to "stay home to save lives."
The governor acknowledges however, that it is critical that everyone maintains good mental
and physical health during the pandemic., that includes going outdoors walking and biking.
The Mayo Clinic recommends avoiding indoor exercise spaces where you are more likely to
come in contact with respiratory droplets from an infected individual, and poor building
ventilation. The good news is you reduce your risk for exposure outdoors like all viruses
circulating fresh air disperses the droplets. Viruses die outdoors they need to hijack a live
host's RNA (DNA instructions) to replicate or spread.
"You're less likely to breathe in enough of the respiratory droplets containing the virus that
causes COVID-19 to become infected," the Mayo Clinic states. However, that does not mean
you should abandon all safety precautions once you step outside. Quite the contrary, mask-up
and staying six feet away from others outside of your family outdoors offers the greatest
protection against COVID-19. up to 95% efficacy as some scientific estimates report.
Combining both safety measures decreases the virus's ability to survive outdoors.
The Mayo Clinic and CDC recommend a number of low-risk outdoor activities to help
combat depression, stress and build up your immune system.
Low Risk Activities
In fall and winter seasons there are less opportunities to remain active outdoors but with
a little patience and planning you can still enjoy. Depending on how hardcore a biker you
are biking can last until the first snow fall or beyond with the right equipment. Walking,
running, and hiking are viable all days of the year. Fishing and hunting are also great
ways to get outdoors and practice safe distancing.
Patience and Planning
So many of us make excuses of not exercising outdoors once the temperature starts to drop
but with a little patience and planning we can enjoy most of the activities we love in the warmer months.
Remembering the Danish philosophy of Hygge (pronounced hoo-ga) the fall and winter months
are the times for being kind to yourself, keeping cozy and maintaining your well-being..
Layering up with water resistant and wind resistant clothing is a good start.
Remember to warm-up and stretch muscles before going out. Bring a flashlight or wear light
reflective clothing since the sun sets much earlier in the fall and winter months. Always stay
hydrated. Lastly, bring the jams It is no coincidence that we feel better, lower cortisol levels,
sleep better when we listen to music. Researchers at the Northwestern University's Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory studied the effects of music on the human nervous system.
Dr. Nina Kraus, a professor and neuroscientist at NU found that human heartbeats biologically
orient towards music "the legs want to swing, metronomically, to a beat." she stated to Psychology Today. Bring your smartphone and earbuds on your next outdoor activity and visit Soundcloud
or Steadymixes.com for the latest cardio, or meditative, oriented mixes of music some lasting
over an hour. Neither website requires a membership, you can listen for free.!
Lastly, play safe outdoors, remember to mask up and stay six feet away when coming
in contact with the pubic outdoors in the park or by a boat launch.