How to Stay Active While Social Distancing

Through all the uncertainty around the coronavirus, there are a few recommendations that seem to be globally accepted, like washing your hands often, not touching your face, staying home, and practicing social distancing while you are outside.

Following these guidelines has been shown to be the only way to limit the spread of the virus, at least until a more convenient cure is found, and although they seem to clash with other basic needs for a healthy lifestyle such as staying active that is not necessarily the case.

Sure, most gyms are closed, as are health clubs and you can forget about any team sports for now, but there are many other ways to stay active while also practicing social distancing. In fact, many cities and communities around the world are encouraging people to seek physical activity and to spend some time outdoors in order to preserve their mental and physical health.

But what does it mean exactly to stay active while social distancing?

Wear or carry a mask

For starters, you should know that although you aren’t likely to find big crowds outside, you will surely not be completely alone. And even if it might be uncomfortable to wear a mask to cover your mouth and nose during your workout, it is important that you at least carry a mask around with you so you can use it whenever you come close to other people.

Enforce the six feet distance

Social distancing recommendations include keeping a distance of at least 6 feet from all the people you come across anytime you are outside your house. So make sure to keep this space in mind when interacting with the outside world.  This is important because this distance ensures that there is no way that particles from another person can come in contact with your nose or mouth.

Stay connected

While it is very important to maintain a physical distance to others, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t make every effort to stay connected to your loved ones. There are many ways of staying connected while remaining at a safe physical distance such as calling a friend as you both take a walk, taking an online live workout class with your dad, or doing an online Zumba class with your mom.

Stay clean

Wash your hands before heading outside and always have hand sanitizer with you. While outdoors you should take good care of following best hygiene practices such as sneezing on your elbow, avoid spitting, bringing your own water bottle to avoid using a shared water fountain, using your elbow to press the elevator, and crosswalk buttons.

Know when to go

Remember that some parks and trails have been closed to the public, so before you go you should research opening times and specific guidelines that should be followed when you are there. You should also look into going at a time when you know there will not be so many people such as early in the morning or late in the afternoon.