While the COVID-19 virus is keeping us separated and in our homes for the next unforeseen amount of time, we need to remember that there are productive things we can do at home to boost our immune systems and minimize distress.
In order to prevent contracting the virus, the following steps have been recommended by the CDC:
1) Wash your hands often
2) Wear a mask if you feel sick
3) Don’t go out in public if you feel sick
4) Social distancing – stay at least 6 ft away from others in social gatherings
5) No more than 10 individuals in the same social places
6) Disinfect things that you use on a regular basis
What we tend to forget is we can still be outdoors. This is probably the best way to socialize and still maintain the recommendations above. The LiiNK Project has emphasized outdoor, unstructured play daily at least 15 minutes every hour for proper whole child development, boosting the immune system, and eliminating stress in the schools.
The outdoors provides 1) sun generated D3 – natural immune booster; 2) a relaxed feeling (parasympathetic nervous system body response); natural physical skills (climbing trees, balancing on different parts of the body, coordination through jumping over things; learning how to fall, etc); and brain development (movement stimulates the ability of the brain to produce thought, creativity, problem solving skills, critical thinking skills).
So getting outside shouldn’t stop now that the children and parents are at home for an extended period of time. If you haven’t been part of the LiiNK initiative yet, it’s a good time to start thinking this way.
Here are some action steps:
1) Make sure all family members are getting outdoors to play/breathe fresh air throughout the day (at least 60 minutes a day and not necessarily all at the same time)
2) Make efforts to visit with each other – this can happen while outside or inside
3) Practice empathy – think about how your thoughts and actions will impact others; flip your thoughts to be more positive and proactive
4) Use some ideas in this newsletter to bring play to your families
5) Remember to have unstructured, outdoor play – not just structured play time – this can mean providing things to play with, but don’t tell them how to play. Let them figure it out on their own. It can also mean that you don’t provide anything – let them explore and figure play out on their own.
6) Disinfect items the children play with; don’t let children in your home play with children from other homes; social distancing still applies!
You’ll be amazed at what you and your children are able to do if you take the opportunity to go outside throughout the day every day.
- Dr. Rhea
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