You’ve probably been indoors for a while now, and one perfect way to cool off is to go out on a picnic. When was the last time you had friends and family around? Phone calls, video calls, and text messages might have helped during the earlier months of quarantine, but it doesn’t replace face-to-face contact. Staying indoors for an extended period can build up anxiety and restlessness because of low levels of serotonin.
Exposure to sunlight is essential to our everyday living because it allows the body to absorb Vitamin D, which boosts the immune system. If you have stayed indoors to protect yourself from the virus, you need some hours to refuel your immune system to fight the virus. Nature is a healing therapy for many physical and mental deficiencies—so in comes the picnic.
The best picnic location
The beach, parks, or even your backyard are perfect locations for a picnic, bearing the six feet rule in mind. If you choose to go to a public place, remember that you don’t have control of the number of visitors to the location, so you may want to be extra cautious. If possible, visit public places during off-hours, say, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The weekends are typically busy, so try to opt for a weekday getaway if possible.
If you choose your backyard or your garden, you can choose to have a picnic anytime! A local picnic would be the safest during this period because you have control of the number of guests and can affect the social distancing rule. It also allows you to decorate the venue and play music.
Even if you choose your home as the picnic location, it shouldn’t be done indoors even if you have a large sitting room. An enclosed space makes proper social distancing practically impossible.
What to pack for your picnic
Get a picnic basket and start packing! Wherever you go, make sure to pack a nice blanket to sit on. Your friends can come with their own blankets and set up at least six feet apart. Other things you should bring along are:
- Face mask (to be used when you’re not eating)
- An alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Bottles of water
- Cutlery
- Bottles of wine or soft drink
- Trash bag (just in case there’s no trash can nearby!)
- Bug spray
- Camera (what is a picnic if you don’t capture the moment?)
The best food to pack
Fruits. Yes, you heard me. I can’t think of a proper meal that fits the season better than fresh fruits. Fruits boost immunity and prevent your body from contracting infections. This is not to say that fruits are the antidote for the coronavirus, but they do increase your immunity to fight sickness.
Consider the following fruits as you pack your basket: oranges, tangerines, gape fruit, papaya, almond, kiwi, etc. Fruits can also be accompanied by light snacks like barbecue potato chips and fried chicken. Just make sure to avoid sharing food from the same bowl during this time, so you might want to pack small disposable plates.
What games to play?
Riddles. Riddles are questions that require a short, witty answer (here are a few to start with). Riddles may sound easy on the surface, but trust me, the answers are not easy to come by. The answer could be right in front of you, but you don’t see it. In this era of social distancing, riddles are the perfect addition when you’re out having fun. You wouldn’t need to hug, kiss, or have close contact with your friends to enjoy the game. You can take turns to ask questions and whoever gets the answer right goes home with a token—maybe a slice of fruit.