In Sydney we may go out for exercise, either with people from our own household or with one friend. It has to be close to our home. We can’t drive 100km and go for a walk on a favourite holiday beach. But we can exercise in our own neighbourhood.
When I was out on my walk early one morning last weekend I walked around a corner and noticed an elderly lady looking confused. She turned and said, ‘How do I get across? We cannot not touch.’ pointing to the button to change the traffic lights. I smiled, lifted my arm up and said ‘Use your elbow’.
I also noticed, even if I only met very few on my walk, most people did not move to the side. The footpaths are less than 2mts wide, so unless one person moves to the side we will not adhere to the suggested 1.5mth distance. Even when walking in pairs they seemed to be ok with taking up all the footpath. I always try to move to the side to make sure I keep the distance, but it would be nice to see other people offer the same sometimes.
This made me think how confusing this time is for many. What we can and can’t do. We are living in a way that has transformed, often with daily changes, and many are still struggling with the new norm. Either through ignorance, arrogance or just plain not knowing any better and having lived the ‘old’ way for a long time.
This is what I do when I head out. Maybe this post can help others with suggestions on what to do. I rarely exercise outside on week days, as I work from home, and find it easier to fit in some yoga or dancing in my days inside. But on weekends I try to get at least one descent walk in.
- I head out early to avoid the crowds. So often around 7 or 8 in the morning.
- My walking bag has tissues and a small bottle of hand sanitizer.
- Before I go, I wash my hands with soap and water and put a dollop of hand sanitizer in my palm, but I don’t rub it in till outside of my apartment building. That way I know I have clean hands after touching any common door knobs.
- I often wear a cap and sunnies for a bit of protection, but no mask. We still have a low number of cases in Australia, and my suburb is very quiet.
- When I see someone approaching I move to the side.
- I look up and try to meet their gaze for a greeting, but many do not. It’s as if they think making eye contact can be contagious.
- I don’t stop for coffee. In fact, most places I walk in and the time of day have no shops open so not a temptation.
- Favourite places to walk to are areas that have an abundance of nature, either bushland settings or waterways. The sound of animals going on with the morning chatter and the sound of running water or waves has a calming effect.
- Crossing the road, I use my elbow to change the traffic lights
Walking is a brilliant form of exercise. It’s gentle and most people can do it, plus, if on a sunny day, gives you a nice dose of vitamin D. It also helps clear the head of all that clutter and worrying thoughts that might creep in with everything going on in our world.
So get out there and enjoy.
Stay safe all and keep washing your hands.
English
Great tips and beautiful pictures, Sal. I love walking too.
Thanks Kate. This time of year is especially lovely to be out walking.
Hi Sal, great photos. We like to go walking too, but where we live, we’ve found most people are very good at moving to the side and even more friendlier than usual. Most smile and say hello – it’s almost like we’re excited to see another human apart from those we live with. The one exception is supermarkets – still a very stressful place to be!
Thanks Karen.
I was out again this morning and noticed a mixed bag of responses. Just a matter of time for people to adjust 🙂
Thanks for reading my post.
Beautiful photos!
Your post describes well the new era that started with #covid19. Things have taken a new shift. We can’t go outside without a mask and a sanitizer at hand. For a while, even walking in an empty street, in the middle of a city, was such a weird scenery to me. So I used to go walking in nature. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you again for your feedback. Really appreciated.
It is indeed a time of change. Impossible for such a huge global pandemic not to have a long term effect on all of us. Hopefully a chance to do things better 😊
Walking in nature is definately a great destresser in troubling times.
Where are you from yourself?
I am from Lebanon and I am lucky to be surrounded by nature. I guess I understood the importance of this when the pandemic started.
Yes something special about nature. In the early days of Covid 19 I found myself gravitating towards the water (beach) and the bushlands. Both nurturing and healing.
Keep well and thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Your post and response to the pandemic is an inspiration. Here in California, the no. 1 most infected in America , even bigger than countries elsewhere , half are following the guidelines, half are not. I go walking wearing mask even if it’s hard to breathe & here’s people walking in front of me without mask, laughing and talking , spreading infected droplets. Many 40% asymptomatic carriers are just walking around not caring of who they infect. It’s disastrous but weather too nice & freedom so strong many are not noticing or ignoring the threat around them. Stay safe. You are making a difference my friend.
Thank you! You have no idea how much your words mean to me. Here in Sydney we have done relatively well and many restrictions have eased. But the virus is still here. Melbourne is a good example here of how easy it can take off.
I try to live as if I have the virus. If we all had that mindset we would be more careful.
But it does mean Im often questioned, even by well meaning friends, as to why I dont socialise indoors or go out to restaurants etc.
So thank you for your support 🙏
Have a wonderful day and stay safe.
I appreciate the feedback too & support. People are behaving with two conflicting beliefs and behavior. Those who believe & those who don’t. For now, I try to just protect myself & my family. I’ve heard of stories of both parents dying and leaving kids orphaned. Or people who recovered but on long term rehab. Then there’s the asymptomatics. Until we get sick , we don’t know how our body will react, from nothing to dying. The risk is not worth it and healthcare workers are more vulnerable due frequent contacts with the infected. Stay safe always.