During the current health crisis, cabin fever is running high. As the period of self-isolation and social distancing wears on, we need to find new and creative ways to pass the time. 

But it's important to remember that you don't have to stay locked inside your home all day! There are many ways to practice social distancing while continuing to be safe in the outdoors.

Here are ten outdoor activities you can safely do while also having lots of fun:

1. Nature Scavenger Hunt: Decorate an old shoe box and go on a nature scavenger hunt. Few things will remind you how beautiful Mother Nature is more than rocks, pine cones, leaves, and grass.
2. Go for a walk or jog: This activity is accessible to mostly everyone and can have beneficial effects for both your physical and mental health. It's as simple as taking a light stroll around the block, or a jog in your nearby park (assuming it's open!). Just be sure to maintain social distancing, wear a mask when necessary, and do not use a public restroom in a park. 
3. Gardening: Create your personal garden right in your own back yard! Build that vegetable or flower garden you've always wanted. And because the kids are home every day, gardening can be used as a great family activity. 
4. Family Yard Work: Gather everyone in the house and allocate different tasks for every one to do. Rake the leaves, mow the grass, clean the gutters or power wash the house. Give yourself a home worth staying in. 
5. Create Art Outside: Grab some chalk and create an obstacle course or some street/driveway art. Take pictures when you're done so you can remember your masterpieces. But again, remember your social distancing!
6. Have a Backyard "Movie Drive-in": Grab a sheet, a projector and your favorite snacks and turn your backyard into an outdoor movie theater.
7. Camp in the backyard: You know that tent that has been sitting in your garage for years? Make your backyard into the next camping destination and put it to good use! It sounds like a small thing. But your kids will remember it forever.
8. Have a Picnic: Grab a blanket and your favorite lunch and sit in the backyard or front yard and eat lunch with nature. Just being outside can boost serotonin in the brain and you won't feel so "stuck" when you go back inside. 
9. Collect Rocks and Paint them: Consider writing and painting positive affirmations on rocks you collect and leave them in your front yard. You never know if those warm words will put a smile the face of a delivery person or even your neighbor!
10. Make care packages for your porch for delivery people: Take a box and put together a care package and leave it near your front door. Make a small sign with a thank you note to our postal workers and delivery people so they can collect them on their way back. Pack it with some essentials, gloves, hand sanitizer and small snacks to show we are all in this together. 

While time is seemingly standing still, there will be a time when we wished we were back inside. Let's take it one day at a time and make the best of the situation we have. We can focus on staying positive, busy, safe, and spend time with the people (and pets!) that we love the most.

Source: Center for Discovery