Get Outdoors for Your Health!
By Shannon Traphagen
These are unique times and understandably, people are worried about the future course the global contagion, COVID-19, more commonly known as coronavirus, will take. Daily updates on this pandemic change literally every few minutes, with the hardest part being not knowing when it will end or the toll it will take on business, economy, and the health and welfare of our loved ones.
However, if history has taught us anything it’s that we will get through this, we will come together (from a distance) to curb and treat the virus, we will be social beings once again.
It is expected that social distancing and curfews may last for several weeks, and that would make anyone go a bit stir-crazy. But there are many ways to stay active, healthy, and connect—albeit from a distance. Now is a great time to get outdoors! WNY has exceptional walking paths, dog friendly spaces, hiking trails, waterfront walkways, and cycling paths. Take your favorite pooch for a long walk on the Erie Canal Heritage trail, Amherst State, Delaware, or Chestnut Ridge Parks.
You can also use this time to take the kiddos for a nice bike ride. For example, the UB or Clarence biking paths, Wilkeson Pointe, Ellicott Creek or the River Walk path are all easy trails and good for kids biking. Get centered by doing Yoga in a park setting, or spend some time among the trees just leisurely walking.
The most important thing to remember is to stay positive! Limit your intake of the news and updates; look to the past and remember our resilience in trying times; watch a funny video or comedy; take this time to send cards of kindness to others.
There are many ways for us to feel connected, stay healthy, and create wonderful memories with loved ones. And remember, we will climb this hill, and we will get to the other side of this.
Shannon Traphagen is a freelance writer in Buffalo.
