It’s no secret that fresh air can heal our minds and bodies. Regular participation in outdoor activities can improve our mood, focus, sleep, and more. Some studies show the outdoors may add years back to your life! We already spend 90% of our lives indoors and, with the need to stay safe from COVID-19 keeping us all at home, cabin fever can set in quickly.

That’s why we have a few easy ways you can enjoy the outdoors from your apartment community! The key is to stay local, practice social distancing by maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet between yourself and others and avoiding peak traffic times, and disinfecting anything you come into contact with.

1. Take a Walk Around your Apartment Community or Neighborhood

Yes, this one seems obvious, but it’s one of the easiest ways to take in some fresh air and get a little exercise. Many Camden apartments have beautiful walking trails within the property or direct access to hiking and biking trails. Walking for 30 minutes per day gets your blood flowing and can improve your cardiovascular health. Take Fido with you if you have a dog!

Walking is an excellent time to focus your mind as well – the repetitive nature of putting one foot in front of the other and following a well-worn path can take us to a meditative state if our mind remains present in what our body is doing. If you need a little help staying present, turn it into a game by counting the number of birds you see or listen to a meditation audiobook as you walk. 

2. Explore Hike and Bike Trails Near You

As I said, many Camden properties have access to popular hike and bike trails. Those are great choices to get some fresh air but tend to get crowded. For some extra quiet, try a nature trail in a state or national park. Depending on your area, those tend to be much larger with more room to spread out.

You’ll also find some unique opportunities to center your mind being surrounded by nature – stop to admire the animals, trees, and streams along the path! As always, practice safety precautions while hiking. Camden has some tips on the best hiking spots near you!

Photo courtesy of Kylie Lugo on Unsplash

3. Eat Al Fresco

This one seems like another obvious way to be outdoors, but it’s also one of the easiest ways to get some fresh air! Take your lunch to a bench outside your building and breathe in the outdoors with every bite. Prepare a nice meal or order take out, then eat it on your patio – bonus points for candles and a gingham tablecloth. Grab a picnic blanket and have a picnic on the lawn of your Camden community or in a nearby park.

4. Open Up the Windows

It’s springtime, which brings the fresh smell of new growth in the air! Open your apartment windows while working from home and allow the fresh breeze to air out your space. While this doesn’t get you in the outdoors, it brings the outdoors inside, doing wonders for the mind and body while we all stay home.

These are just a few tips to help you enjoy the outdoors locally in or around your apartment. Remember always to follow good social distancing practices when leaving your home.