Feeling cooped up these days? Spending time in nature, while still respecting social distancing and other health recommendations, could be just what the doctor ordered.
We miss seeing your smiling faces at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. As a Colorado theme park situated on top of a mountain, being outside enjoying thrills rides and family attractions, as well as exploring the natural beauty of the caverns is part of the Adventure Park experience. Until we re-open in the weeks ahead, we encourage you to spend some time outdoors every day. Nature can be a potent source of renewal and regeneration for all of us, especially now.
Since mid-March, to tamp down the spread of the novel coronavirus, many of us have been working from home, socializing online, homeschooling our kids, limiting trips to the grocery store, wrangling for toilet paper, binge-watching TV and getting the hang of wearing face masks in public. It has been a long few weeks and there’s still more to go. At this point in the quarantine, who among us isn’t going a little stir crazy?
Here’s a suggestion: Get outside. Spending time in nature has all sorts of documented benefits. According to MentalFloss, it can boost your energy, creativity and immune system. A dose of sunlight can help mitigate pain, reduce anxiety, help with seasonal affective disorder and even restore your focus. And those are the perks in a pre-pandemic world!
Getting out in nature now can be even more effective in boosting our health and our moods. In the viral health crisis we find ourselves in today, spending time outdoors has a stockpile of advantages:
- Nature takes our minds off scary headlines. Turn down the noise of the world by stepping out your front door. If you look for natural beauty every time you go outside, you’ll be sure to find it. Fresh blooms are popping up everywhere, warm sunshine on bare skin feels like a hug from an old friend, and spring rain brings with it rainbows and the promise of better days ahead.
- Nature allows us to interact with other humans from a safe distance. While the wearing of masks is recommended in confined indoor settings, as long as we keep the 6-foot recommended distance from one another we can lower our nose and mouth protection when we’re outside. After so much self-isolation, smiling and waving to other people has never felt more therapeutic!
- Nature is a big playground. Along with school closures, many city parks and playgrounds are off-limits for the time being. To keep kids from going bonkers, turn them loose for fresh air and to burn off steam. Simple things to do include riding bikes around the neighborhood, taking the dog for a walk, flying a kite or spending the afternoon fishing.
- Nature encourages relaxation. Study after study has shown that green spaces boost our mood, reduce anxiety and generally make us feel better. Why not use this quarantine to take a solitary nap in a hammock, sketch or paint a landscape, read a book al fresco or dip your feet in the creek. Doing so won’t solve all your problems, but you will likely feel better and more at ease.
- Nature is all around and accessible. Spending time in nature is not complicated even in these complicated times. It’s is as easy as opening your front door, walking barefoot on your own lawn, picking weeds in the garden, going for an early morning walk or an after-work-at-home run.
However you decide to spend time in nature, follow national, state and local health guidelines especially social distancing even when outside and remember to wash your hands thoroughly when you return home.
We at Glenwood Caverns look forward to seeing you back again soon for a mountain-full of fun and adventure. For updates on our re-opening and other news follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram today.