It’s December 2020 and individuals across the world have been practicing social distancing for the majority of the calendar year. Much of the United State’s population has been in some sort of quarantine since March and people are chomping at the bit to return to the outdoor world and experience nature and the adventure it has to offer.

With all of the dangers 2020 and a global pandemic has to offer, it is safe to interpret that individuals now assess risk much frequently compared to those of years past. Every time an individual leaves the house, the decisions of a given individual can have life-altering impacts on one’s own person, loved ones and those we come in contact with.

What Are Low Risk Activities During COVID-19 Pandemic?

Assessing and analyzing risks has become a part of the “new normal” and before performing any potentially dangerous outdoor activities, individuals should assess the dangers of all potential outdoor activities and whether or not these activities are considered safe during a pandemic. Once an individual ventures to perform any given outdoor activity, it is imperative to remember to follow social distancing guidelines mandated by local, state and federal governments.

During pandemic times, it is important to practice safe and socially distanced activities. Although the virus poses greater danger in numbers and higher risks to those that don’t abide by CDC guidelines. It is also important to analyze the danger that isolation and lack of social interaction can have on one’s psyche.

If you so choose to venture outdoors, remember that there are safe activities that can help alleviate stressors related to Covid. By limiting the numbers of one’s group to those that live under a roof you can engage in safe outdoor activities with minimum risks to an individual and the other members of a household.

Below are five outdoor activities that pose lower risk of transmission for participants. If one so chooses to engage in any given activity, remember to practice socially distancing, wear a mask and wash, refrain from touching one’s face and sanitize or wash your hands during, but more importantly, after the activity is complete.

Horseback Riding

Although horseback riding is more dangerous than people may realize from a personal injury standpoint, venturing out on a riding trail at a social distance in a pandemic is a relatively safe outdoor activity. While horseback riding may seem like a relatively safe injury and is considered a non-contact sport, it is best to keep one’s wits about them and understand the non-pandemic related dangers of riding a horse.

If an individual so chooses to engage in horseback riding, ensure that social distancing guidelines are adhered to and stay home if a person is experiencing any sort of symptom. It is also important to remember to wear all protective and safety equipment. Wearing a helmet while riding a horse helps minimize potential brain injuries.

Hunting

Gun sales have spiked in 2020. Although not entirely correlated with the pandemic’s rise, individuals that are looking for a socially distanced activity may engage in hunting activities.

Hunting meets the Mayo Clinic’s criteria of a safer socially distanced activity as many hunters chose to engage with members of their own household and venture outside with family members in their own homes. Assuming hunters limit their group numbers and practice this activity only with members living in one’s household, hunting can act as a safer-alternative compared to team and other outdoor activities during an airborne pandemic.

Fishing

Similar to hunting, fishing is considered a low risk activity during a pandemic. From shore fishing to fly fishing, getting outdoors and getting your line and rod can help reduce the stress associated with quarantines and allow for much needed outdoor leisure.

Just like in the case of hunting, fishing with individuals within one’s own household can help minimize the transmission of COVID-19. Go grab some bait, wear a mask at the tackle store and hit a favorite new, or old, fishing spot.

Biking

Biking has experienced a surge in interest during the pandemic. With lower volumes of automotive vehicles on the road, biking on surface roads or on trails can create much needed recreational and outdoor activities.

Remember to follow all precautionary measures and take the necessary safety precautions of wearing a helmet and to follow the local rules of the road (if riding on streets).

Golfing

Another highly popular low-risk activity in a pandemic is golfing. Golfing is an ideal candidate and is considered low risk due to a few commonalities of the activity and it’s outdoor setting. With the ample space allotted for movement at many golf courses a group of household members can enjoy nine or eighteen holes of golf while remaining low risk.

Although the nineteenth hole may need to be nixed to accommodate reasonable safety measures, one can still enjoy the activity of getting outside and getting the much needed release from physical activity.