Many people may assume they should stay indoors, when in fact, they should stay apart. This can be readily, and responsibly done in the outdoors.
As “social distancing,” “physical distancing,” and “self-isolation” enter the global public lexicon and we are transfixed to the news trying to understand how to protect ourselves and our loved ones, there has been a great deal of confusion as to whether we can go outside and take our children out to play.
Canadians are being asked to practice social distancing — more recently and appropriately being called physical distancing — to decrease the spread of COVID-19 in the community. Unless you are told to self-isolate, practicing physical distancing includes going outdoors. In fact, the Ottawa Public Health Unit lists ‘spending time outside and in settings where people can maintain a 1–2 metre distance from each other’ as one of the ways to practice physical distancing.
Many people may assume they should stay indoors, when in fact, they should stay apart. This can be readily, and responsibly done in the outdoors.
Outdoor physical activity makes our immune system more robust
When we go outdoors, we are more physically active, reduce our screen time, and sleep better– and all of these things makes our immune system more robust and increases our defence against COVID-19 and any other challenge to our health. Getting outdoors increases our exposure to sunlight, which boosts vitamin D levels, which can in turn boost the immune system and reduce risk of infection.
While it may be tempting to indulge in movie marathons, stay up late, and become lax with screen time restrictions for ourselves and our children during this pandemic, now more than ever is the time to adhere to healthy movement guidelines to maintain a healthy immune system and build a strong defence. Getting outside is an essential part of this, especially for children. When children are outside they move more, sit less, and play longer, all of which is important to maintain physical and mental health.
Important for children’s ability to process what is happening right now
Getting kids outdoors for active play may also help them process the new normal right now. Outdoor play provides children with a sense of control and agency over their own actions and is important for social-emotional skill building. Play is therefore especially important to help children process their own emotional responses to adversity and stress, such as with the current pandemic.
Above all: stay safe, stay healthy. Getting active and outdoors, while adhering carefully to public health guidance can help cope, contain, and combat COVID-19.
Adapted from the Outdoor Play Canada statement on outdoor play in the COVID-19 era.
