H Y D A W A Y

Even when practicing social distancing, getting exercise and fresh air should still be a part of your daily routine.  With many of us now working from home, it can be a great time to do the things you love the most. 

While we need to keep physical distance from each other, we don’t need to shut ourselves inside. Getting outdoors isn’t canceled, you guys. 

We’ve put together some ideas to make sure you get your daily dose of fresh air, move your body, and maintain your mental health. 

1. CLEAN UP OUR BEACHES

If you’re looking for ideas on how to give back, we recommend doing a beach clean-up. It’s a great way to get outside, breath fresh ocean air, and build up some Mother Nature karma points at the same time!

If you’re on the west coast, we’ve been experiencing more rain than average, which means all of the runoff and trash from our inland communities are now polluting the beaches. 

All you need is your collapsible, reusable water bottle, a bucket, and a pair of gardening gloves. 

2. HIT THE BACKCOUNTRY

With many ski resorts already closed, hitting the backcountry is a great way to get on the hill without putting yourself and others at risk. Plus, snow is still dumping on most of the West Coast including Oregon, Colorado, and even California. 

In the backcountry, there are no long lines for ski lifts, no hefty lift ticket prices, and the silence you find in the powder-filled backcountry cannot be beaten.

If you do venture into the backcountry, it’s important to understand avalanche safety and that you carry the appropriate safety gear with you.

3. PLANT A GARDEN

It’s also a great time to start a garden, an activity that will keep the entire family busy. 

In just a few months, you’ll be able to harvest and eat the healthy fruits and vegetables you grew in your own home. Plus, it’s possible your kids will be excited about trying new vegetables that they grew themselves! 

4. HAVE A NATURE SCAVENGER HUNT

Your favorite childhood activity can be fun for the whole family. If you have kids, create a list of common outdoor objects that are easy to find in your neighborhood. 

Local trees, flowers, and animals found in your area are a great place to start.

If your kids are older, a little friendly competition can make things more interesting! You may even tire the kids out enough for that early bedtime you were wishing for. 

Just be sure to avoid the playground or public facilities during your hunt as many of these structures are not regularly cleaned. 

5. GLAMP OUT

Many group campgrounds are closed right now, but that shouldn’t stop you from sleeping under the stars! 

Pitching a tent in your own backyard is guaranteed family fun. It gets you outdoors without all of the packing, planning and purchasing that comes with traditional camping.

One of the best parts of camping is the food. Have the whole family participate in creating the menu for the night including things like hotdogs, s’mores, and one of my personal favorites – pizza mountain pies. 

6. TAKE A HIKE

Going hiking during a time of social distancing might seem like an obvious idea. It’s a great way to maintain your physical fitness, boost your mood, and maintain your mental health. Because this is a unique time, there are some added precautions you should take before you hit the trail. 

Keep your hikes local. Inyo County in California is even running an #AdventureCanWait campaign to prevent tourists from flocking to their tiny towns in fear of overcrowding their hospitals. 

Your bucket list hikes will be there for you in a few weeks! Instead, pick a local trail that has more room for social distancing from other hikers and visit the trail during the least crowded times. 

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Amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, you can still enjoy the great outdoors, just be mindful to practice responsible social distancing. 

In uncertain times like these, we can still count on Mother Earth to take care of us both physically and spiritually. 

And don’t forget to pack that HYDAWAY bottle!