Mother Nature certainly isn’t helping, but today is Blue Monday.
It takes place on the third Monday in January, and raises awareness around depression, anxiety and people suffering from the winter blues.
This is particularly true more than ever as the pandemic keeps dragging on and people and businesses are facing various restrictions, closures, cancellations and lockdowns in different provinces.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is reminding people to get outdoors to help improve their moods along with physical, emotional and mental well being. However, you may not want to venture out during a snowstorm.
Here are some tips and things to remember when spending time in nature.
- Be prepared by wearing or bringing multiple layers of clothing to stay warm, as well as a hat, scarf, mittens and water-resistant jacket. Make sure you stay as dry as possible, as water against the skin from wet clothing can chill the body quickly. Have proper boots and foot aids to provide traction on slippery surfaces.
- Let others know where you are going and bring a phone so you can call for help if you get lost.
- Research the area you’re visiting for any regulations or special concerns.
- Be prepared for extreme weather, hazards and emergencies.
- Schedule your activity to avoid times of high use to allow for easier physical distancing.
- Know your limits and your gear. Go slow, chose lower-risk activities to avoid injury.
- Visit in small groups. Split larger parties into groups of four to six.
- Stay on durable trails and surfaces.
- Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter, along with any pet waste.
- Respect other users and visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
- Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
- Take breaks and let nature’s sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
- Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach animals.
- Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviours and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
- Control your pets at all times, or leave them at home.
- Preserve the past. Examine, but do not touch, cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
- Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you found them.
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