Social Distancing Survival Guide

We know it’s been a rough start to the year. Schools, theaters, gyms, restaurants and bars have closed. Every major sporting event is canceled, not to mention community events and other group gatherings. And while life may be a bit sweeter here in Northern Colorado, we are not immune to what’s happening around the world.

We have had to postpone and cancel events here at The Lakes and make many other changes throughout our community to protect the health and safety of our residents and visitors. As social distancing, home schooling and working remote become the new normal, there are still plenty of bright spots to focus on and fun things to do during this time of change. Below are just a few suggestions on how to stay social while staying safe and making the most of this time.

Keep Moving

Health and wellness is more important now than ever. Now that the gym is closed, we have some tips on how to stay active. After all, exercise can be healthy during stressful times. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), exercise is considered vital for maintaining mental fitness and it can reduce stress.

Lace up those tennis shoes and get outside for a nice walk or run. As the weather starts to feel more like spring with warm sunny days, it makes it easy to enjoy the scenic trails around Equalizer Lake and Houts Reservoir. These leisure trails are full of wildlife and wide-open spaces so you can stay a safe distance from others while enjoying our Certified Wild community.

If you need to stretch those legs a bit more, hop on a bicycle and cruise the 26 miles of paved trails on Loveland’s recreational trail system.

If the trails aren’t for you, perhaps the relaxing art of angling can provide some peace. Cast a line into Houts Reservoir or Equalizer Lake and kickback. Read the 2020 Colorado Fishing Guide for more information about licensing and regulations, then make sure you know where you’re allowed to fish in our two reservoirs.

When you just can’t get out of the house for whatever reason, there are some great options for virtual workouts you can do at home. With technology it just takes a few clicks to beam a trainer into your living room on a smart TV. Sure, it’s not quite the same as that yoga class at the gym, but it’s still possible to work up a good sweat.

SELF Magazine sifted through thousands of online videos to determine the best of the best when it comes to online yoga classes. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or a novice, take a break to recharge with their list of the nine best yoga YouTube channels.

Planet Fitness is offering free Facebook Live at-home “work-ins” for anyone and everyone. Get moving with trainers and even some surprise celebrity guests for a 20-minute workout to relieve stress and stay active.

But what about the kids? How do you help them get all of their extra energy out while school is out? A scavenger hunt is a great way to let them burn off some extra energy, while also enjoying the challenge of finding fun hidden objects.

Exercise the Mind

What good is it to keep the body healthy if we ignore the mind? Make sure to take the time to expand your brain during this time of social distancing to ensure you stay sharp and healthy. Whether it’s reading a good book or doing a fun crossword puzzle, avoid the brain drain of scrolling through the news all day.

Thanks to technology, you don’t need to leave the comfort of your living room to check out some of the world’s greatest art and culture. Take a virtual art tour with the Museums of Paris website, which has posted more than 100,000 images online. Can’t read French? View the website using Google Chrome and it will translate all of the text to English.

You can also check out 12 of the greatest museums in the world with a virtual tour. The tours include the Guggenheim in New York, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence and the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. The Metropolitan Opera in New York City may be closed, but the show still goes on every evening at 5:30 p.m. The Met is now streaming encore presentations for free. Each performance will be available for 20 hours.

One of the best ways to expand your mind and imagination while stuck at home is reading a good book. A great read can really pass the time. Variety.com has compiled a list of the best books to enrich your life during social distancing. The comprehensive list includes such books as “The Stand” by Stephen King and “Station Eleven” by Emily St. John Mandel.

If none of that sounds interesting, USA Today has compiled a list of 100 things to do while stuck at home. This list includes taking time to reflect, writing a story, having a Scrabble tournament and memorizing the periodic table.

Spread Kindness

During this time of social distancing, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the fear and uncertainty of the world, however, kindness is free and easy to spread. Whether it is Face Timing a friend who is alone, taking food to someone who is at risk or spreading good cheer with compassionate messages, we need kindness now more than ever.

Consider helping out some of the most vulnerable during this time by writing a senior in a nursing home an uplifting letter or drawing a picture. Since visitation is limited to seniors right now, loneliness can be a real problem. A kind note can brighten anyone’s day. The Centerra community is coordinating a virtual Community Gratitude Box and will be collecting pictures, letters and sentiments to deliver in the coming weeks. If you’d like to participate, please email wecare@mcwhinney.com before March 25, 2020.

We are hoping to collect the same for our local medical professionals at the Medical Center of the Rockies and teachers/administrators at High Plains School and Mountain View High School. Students will need to include their first name, grade and teacher’s name to ensure proper delivery.

Another way to spread a little kindness is by donating to a food bank in need. Shelters and food banks need donations even in good times so now is no exception. Donate your non-perishable extras to those who need it. Check out more ways you can help the Food Bank of the Rockies here.

We know this is a difficult time for our community. However, if we band together (from afar of course), we can rise to this challenge and get through this together.