Across the United Kingdom, everybody is now into self-isolation because of the Coronavirus outbreak. We are all directed to stay at home unless we are key workers, only to leave those homes for essential activities, like shopping, and to exercise once per day.
The roads around the country are visibly quieter. Our high streets are practically closed and restaurants, bars and coffee shops are silent. There has been a very visible change in the nature of the environment, and that means the nature of our relationship with it, and our personal safety has changed.
Here are five ways you should now think about your own safety when taking your exercise outside during the coronavirus outbreak.
Think about where you are going
It sounds obvious but think about where you are going. Places you have previously seen as safe, perhaps because there have always been people around, may now feel and be very different. Remember, empty spaces provide opportunity for people who don’t want others to see what they are up to.
We often exercise close to where we work, and it may be that you don’t know your local area half as well as you think. Talk to others to find out where is good, and where to avoid.
One of the things I have noticed near where I live, is that empty patches of woodland, now seem to attract people who want to smoke weed or trade drugs.
Use daylight
The days are now longer, and the night time, dark hours, are shorter. Take advantage of the security which daylight provides. Not only can you see exactly where you are running or walking, but with more people likely to be out, there is a far greater chance that a cry for help will be heard.
Communicate
No matter how short a time you intend to be out, let someone else know. Tell them when you are leaving, where you are going and when you expect to return.
At times of heightened tension across the whole country it is important that others are able to account for wherever you are. Should you be injured, or fall ill while out exercising then there someone will notice that you are missing and can start to trigger help.
This is particularly important if you live alone, and are therefore self-isolating alone. Even in busy towns and cities, it is easy for someone to live unnoticed. Tell someone else about your exercise periods as a part of your moral duty, and also critically as a part of staying socially connected. Ge into good habits now, just in case this goes on for months.
Carry Your Phone With You
This ties in to communication. Given the extremely serious nature of the outbreak, whenever, you are away from your home, make sure that you are contactable and have the means of contacting others.
Take your phone with you. Make sure it’s charged and that others know your number. If you have not done so already, make sure friends and family contact details are pre-loaded and that you know how the emergency call system works.
Avoid
This is not the same as planning your route before you go out. It is the dynamic adjustments you make to where you are going while you are out.
You would divert to avoid a hole in the road, so make sure you give yourself space to avoid others, giving them a good 2m clearance, as you pass them. Whenever you meet a friend or colleague, don’t me tempted to stop and chat.
The virus can only be passed on through contact between people. Don’t be the link in the chain which allows it to move on. Work at your discipline and avoid others.
Avoid also means be prepared to turn around and avoid anybody who makes you nervous. I would certainly divert to avoid any people who are getting together, wrongly, to smoke a joint where they think they cannot be seen.
And Finally …
All of this has been advice to help you stay safe while taking any exercise away from your home during the coronavirus outbreak.
The best way to stay safe is to exercise at home.
There are plenty of online fitness sessions which are now free, many of which are designed to be done in your own homes.
