The resident life team and infection control task force are working together to bring safe opportunities for outdoor group exercise to Deerfield’s Independent Living residents. In the coming weeks, we hope to be able to offer mild to moderate intensity group fitness classes, such as yoga and tai chi, held outdoors in the cooler morning hours. Similarly, we hope to facilitate our hikers’ return to the trails.
One of the best ways to reduce stress during this uncertain time and to feel vibrant despite the solitude of social distancing is to get outdoors. These days, while we must be physically apart from friends and family, there is no better time to commune with nature, to enjoy its beauty and abundance and to relish in the feeling of the warmth of the sun. Plus, sunlight, humidity, wind, and other natural forces work to disperse and destroy SARS-CoV2 viral particles, making the outdoor environment safer than the indoor when it comes to COVID-19 transmission. As long as you’re maintaining a minimum of 6 feet of distance from other people and you and others are wearing mask, outdoor exercise is a safe and responsible COVID-era activity.