We’re almost there guys. We’ve made it through the long stretch; we’ve endured zoom call after zoom call with awkward meeting exits, binged Netflix night after night and baked enough banana bread to never want to eat it again. The lockdown measures are starting to loosen up but alas, we still can’t dine in a restaurant or go to happy hour with our friends (at least not physically). Our mental well-being depends on human interaction but most of all, it depends on daily activities and movement. Yes, movement is what releases those all-too-important endorphins within our bodies so it can trigger the feel-good part of our brains.

I’m not gonna lie, it wasn’t until the weather started getting warmer that I started feeling better about this whole lockdown situation. Since then, I’ve been able to enjoy more outdoor activities that have been the major boost I’ve been needing. Before COVID-19 turned our worlds upside down, I couldn’t even have imagined a fulfilling life outside of travel and physical connections. However, I’ve learned that there’s so many things you can enjoy on your own or just with a friend that can make life just as enjoyable. Ready to hear what outdoor activities I’ve been reintroducing myself to to indulge in during this time? Read on to see.

 

1. Have a Fancy Picnic.

This one’s a no brainer. This lockdown has me and pretty much everyone going back to simpler times when we actually enjoyed outdoor activities. They say kids don’t like to go out and play these days. Well, funny how when that option gets taken away from you, that pretty much becomes all you want to do. Argo, the hands down easiest thing you could do for a mood boost during this time is go out to the park for a fancy picnic. I just went on one for the first time in maybe a decade with my sister and no, it’s not just for the romantics – anyone can go on one.

All you need is a picnic blanket (I brought an aesthetically-pleasing bed sheet), delicious chilled beverages (wine in a can anyone?), cheese and crackers (bringing back my favourite childhood Lunchables for a tasty snack) and some fresh fruit or veggies. We stayed there for hours just getting our daily dose of vitamin D and soaked in the scenery. You could set up camp at a park nearby with little people around or even in your backyard if you want to stay extra safe. Just make sure you get your tan on while you’re there; the sun is a natural mood booster.

2. Go on a Scenic Hike.

Not gonna lie, the lockdown basically closed the doors to my top three most beloved activities – shopping, eating out and people watching in coffee shops. After that, I pretty much went on a park tour in my city before they decided to close those as well. If you’re like me who loves exploring new places all the time, you probably went on one yourself. I discovered parks and hiking trails I never even knew existed that were just short drives from home. Now that the weather has finally reached the 20s and most parks have reopened, going on a scenic hike seems the most fitting.

I recently visited Niagara Whirlpool – an hour and half drive from the city – and started to get a feel of what life was like before all this. The trail was a bit more advanced for me but it was the perfect workout for someone who hasn’t hit the gym in awhile. My body was aching and sore the entire day after (proof of how out of shape I am) but I loved every minute of it. There’s nothing like fresh air and a beautiful view to snap you back to reality of how amazing life is when you slow down and actually take time to enjoy it.

 

3. Start a Bonfire in Your Own Backyard.

This is probably the most relaxing and zen outdoor “activity” you could partake in right in the comfort of your own backyard. My friend recently invested in a super affordable fire pit to set up in his backyard – the perfect alternative to the spa if you ask me. We’ve been firing it up once a week and it’s basically like camping but without all the uncomfortable sleeping conditions that come with it. Everyone just sits around, enjoys the heat from the flames and roasts some marshmallows or sausages.

If you’ve been craving a night at a campsite, this is as close as it’s going to get. I know that this lockdown has been rough on us mentally – especially those with anxiety issues like myself – which is why we have to get creative and use what we have to the best of our advantage. If you’re lucky enough to live in a house with a useable yard, why not invest in a fire pit for those slow summer nights?

 

4. Go Exploring by Bike.

I recently got reintroduced to the bike that’s been sitting in my garage for years. Given I had to re-pump the wheels and fix it up a bit but after that, I took it out for a thrilling ride around the neighbourhood. To be honest, I haven’t had much motivation to work out these days so getting any kind of exercise in makes all the difference. Plus, I got to explore nearby plazas with small businesses that I hadn’t been aware of before lockdown. It feels a bit nostalgic to go biking again. I used to bike a lot back in the day before I got my license so this has been a perfect way to reconnect with an old summertime activity.

Since I live in more of a suburban neighbourhood, I get to ride through very peaceful residential streets with beautiful greenery. There’s something very freeing about bike riding that everyone needs to feel every so often. What with the wind blowing through your hair on those downhill slopes, it makes it worth all that cardio. If you have an old bike lying around, why not take it for a spin now that it’s gorgeous out? And besides, who needs spin class when you can do the real thing with a view.

 

5. Practice Your Golf Swings at the Range.

There’s always a first time for everything. In this case, I finally tried my hand at golf. There’s nothing that boosts your mood more than taking part in an athletic sport to get your body moving. I’m glad I didn’t start out going to a country club first because let me tell you, golfing is NOT easy. I went in there thinking it would be like mini-golf but it’s nothing like that at all. Instead of small little putts, you have to do wide swings and half the time, I didn’t even hit the ball.

However, it’s one of the few things that are finally open to the public after lockdown and a fun activity to do by yourself or with a small group. And plus, a great workout. Take note that rentals aren’t open at the moment so either bring your own set of clubs or go with someone who has. Even though I pretty much sucked at golf, it’s nice to challenge yourself and to try something out of the ordinary. Everyone needs to try new things once in awhile; it’s what keeps life interesting.

 

Although lockdown has been trying at times, the one good thing to come out of it is that we’ve all become more appreciative of things that we can do. It’s nice to see people reverting back to simpler times when we actually enjoyed getting outside and valuing the importance of self-care. Whether that’s mentally or physically, there’s so many ways to keep our bodies happy and healthy. At the end of the day, our mood really depends on how well we take care of our bodies and what we do with them. Essentially, the more you keep your body moving, the more endorphins you release. That includes sitting for long hours bathing in the sun or in front of a nice warm fire by the way. Anything that makes your mind feel good, makes your body feel good.

 

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