Fun Fridays: Lift your spirits by enjoying the outdoors
Article by Emily Whelan ’20
Being cooped up inside all day can get boring fast. As the weather continues to warm up, it is a good idea to get outside in the fresh air and enjoy the sunshine. The Salve Regina community is blessed to live and work in such a beautiful area. The ocean, the daffodils, the cliff walk and the sprawling back lawn of McAuley are all showstoppers when people come through the campus.
Now that the campus is a lot quieter, however, it is a good time to reflect on just how lucky we all have been to have spent so much time in this beautiful city by the sea. Each day is one day closer to returning back home to Salve Regina.
We all may be missing Newport, but the outdoors are beautiful all around us. So even though we may be missing campus, looking for the beauty that surrounds us in our hometowns can brighten our spirits, too.
#1 Enjoy your own hometown’s nature
Photo by Getty Images/italianestro
If you live near the water, start your day by walking the beach and looking for sea glass. If you live near the woods, find a trail you haven’t had time to explore and take a nature walk. On a windy day, find an open field where you can fly a kite. Even a quick bike ride, walk or run through your neighborhood will be refreshing.
#2 Make a picnic
If you’re tired of eating inside, pack up a little lunch with your family and go outside in your yard or to a local park where you can have a picnic. Just be careful to social distance if you’re out near others, and make sure you’re in areas that haven’t been officially shut down. Even the simple act of changing up the scenery with your meal will help you feel less isolated, no matter where you end up going.
#3 Do class outside
Photo by Getty Images/Blackzheep
As the weather warms up, we have the luxury of spending as much time outside as we like, so even joining a virtual class online is possible! There have been many times when students ask their professors if their class can be outside, and now we don’t even have to ask. Set up a work area on your lawn or deck, login to class and you’re all set to go.
#4 Watch the sunrise and/or sunset
A ritual of some sort surrounding the sunrise and sunset maybe beneficial to keep you feeling more regulated right now. If you’re a morning person, make it a goal to watch the sunrise once or twice a week. You will start your day with a boost of energy. If waking up early isn’t your thing, then watching the sunset is just as relaxing. No matter what, make sure to take some time each day to reflect.
These times are definitely hard, but there are silver linings, too. The key to productivity during this time isn’t doing work non-stop, but keeping a healthy balance of work, fun, family time and relaxation. If you find yourself getting overwhelmed, stepping outside for a breath of fresh air can sometimes be the best thing to do.
Each Friday, SALVEtoday will provide fun ideas and experiences to encourage and uplift the University community during this time of remote living and learning. #salvesgotthis #funfridays
