Follow These Best Practices on How to Exercise Safely Outdoors During the Pandemic

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One of the things the pandemic has taught me is just how much I enjoy being outdoors. My husband would say I’m a “hot foot,” preferring to be outside rather than in the comfort of my own home. I guess to a degree, this description fits my personality.

With the pandemic altering the way we interact as a society and as humans in general, it became crystal clear just how much being indoors, for extended periods of time makes me feel claustrophobic.

I experienced these same feelings when I lived up north during winter blizzard season and now, living in the south, during hurricane season and we have to shelter in place until the storm passes.

As soon as the restrictions were lifted and we were able to exercise outdoors, I was one of the first people strolling through my neighborhood!  I’ve learned that being outdoors, breathing fresh air, having the sunlight hit my face, was more beneficial to my mental state than I anticipated. My primary reason for getting outside was to exercise, yet, it seems to have helped my mental and emotional well being far more than I even realized.

So the question is, how do we stay safe when we want to exercise outdoors?

Basic Outdoor Exercise Check List:

  • Bottle of water (ideally at least 32 oz.)
  • Cell Phone
  • Photo Identification (driver’s license, etc.)
  • House Key & Car Key (if applicable)
  • Back Pack or Fanny Pack (optional)
  • Sunscreen
  • Bug spray
  • Sunglasses
  • Hat
  • Small towel
  • Wind breaker or rain proof poncho (Pro Tip: Simply tie around your waste or have ready in your back pack or fanny pack)
  • Extra Shirt (If applicable) I keep an extra shirt in my car to change into if needed.

Pro Tip: I store my driver’s license underneath my cell phone cover.  It’s a great way to keep your photo id safe and dry should you get caught in a passing shower. Simply remove your cell phone cover, place your id inside the cover, put the cell phone back in the cover and snap closed. Easy Peasy!

 Follow these best practices on how to exercise safely outdoors during the pandemic:

  • Local State and City Guidelines – Check your local State and City websites for the latest requirements. Since the local mandates are constantly changing, I recommend check first before heading out so you are in compliance with your local ordinances. The last thing you want to do is get a fine or ticket for not following the rules. Parks in my area didn’t open up until Mid- June and the City posted the guidelines on the web and also at each park.  Take a look at the signs and path markers that were put in place in my area.
  • CDC Guidelines offer great recommendations for visiting parks and recreation facilities.
  •  CDC Guidelines on how to properly wear a mask

  •  WHO Guidelines: When and  how to use masks

Want to learn how to make your own cloth face covering? Check out this video.
  1. Do I wear a mask or not?
It’s recommended that we wear masks when in crowded places. With that said, there’s a lot of confusion regarding whether to wear a mask while exercising or not. Some experts believe it interferes with proper breathing (Check Out This Link to The World Health Organization, MYTH BUSTER:  DO NOT WEAR A MASK WHILE EXERCISING) while other experts say it’s perfectly safe. I’m not a medical professional, but I’ve tried exercising outdoors with a disposable mask and with a cloth face mask. Personally, I don’t feel comfortable exercising with a face mask on. It was much more difficult to breathe with the paper disposable mask than the cloth face covering. Although the cloth face covering was better, I still found it difficult to breathe.
 

How do I wear a face mask without fogging up my glasses?

This is something I struggled with and was determined to figure out. This is what worked for me!

Follow these steps:
  1. Put on your face mask and seal it securely along the contour of your face and bridge of your nose. If you have a cloth face mask, make sure to place it firmly against the bridge of your nose. If using a disposable mask, there is a thin wire at the top of the mask. Put on the mask and pinch the wire to follow the contour of the bridge of your nose.
  2. Put on your glasses and re-adjust the glasses to fit OVER the mask.
  3. Put on your hat, if you wear one. Make any necessary adjustments.
What’s the Trick?

The trick is to be sure that your glasses are on top of the mask and the mask underneath is secure against your nose and face.  TRY IT and let me know if it works for you.

Why has wearing a face mask become a political issue ?

My sister is a nurse and I have close friends that are also nurses. I ask them what for their professional opinion about wearing masks and they say WE SHOULD ALL WEAR MASKS when out in public, period. So, I listen to their advice based on what they see and experience daily in their work environments around the country. From my perspective, I see it as a health, wellness, and safety issue and that’s it. Check out this interesting article The Guardian to get an interesting perspective on the ” To Mask or Not to Mask?” debate.

 

Which face masks are best? Disposable or Cloth?

When the pandemic first began, it was difficult to find paper disposable face masks. As a result of that shortage, the CDC promoted the use of wearing cloth face masks. In general, wearing a face covering either disposable or cloth are both acceptable and recommended. The World Health Organization has a fantastic resource including videos on How and when to use masks, both reusable and medical disposable types. It also explains the do’s and don’ts on properly wearing face masks. I use these disposable face masks (affiliate link) as well as these cloth face coverings (affiliate link). Both work well and I recommend having extra masks on hand in your car, handbag, and backpack.
 
How do I safely dispose of my face masks?
 
 When disposing of face masks or coverings, keep in mind the basic guidelines on reducing the spread of the virus. Place the masks in your garbage outside your home or apartment. Remember to wash your hands thoroughly.
 
Let’s face it, we are all trying to live in a world during unprecedented times while learning how to cope with the unexpected.  Exercise has been a great source of comfort on many levels. Being outdoors while exercising has also been a wonderful way to add some normalcy to my everyday existence. I hope you will get out there, get some sunshine, even if it’s to walk around the block or stroll through your neighborhood.
 
Please share what you are doing to stay active, if you wear a mask or not, and whether you prefer to wear a disposable or reusable mask.
 
Be well and stay safe.

3 thoughts on “Follow These Best Practices on How to Exercise Safely Outdoors During The Pandemic”

  2. Nancy Desmangles

    Great information Kim. I do stay up to date with the information.I am also outside a lot because it is good for my mental state.
    thanks a lot
    xoxo
    Nancy

    Reply
    1. Kimberly Christian

      Thank you so much for your comments. Glad you are keeping in touch!
      It’s nice to hear you are getting outside too!
      Stay safe and be well!

      Reply

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