“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” – John Wooden
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has forced everyone to spend a lot of time in their homes and has significantly altered our everyday way of life. Health organizations like the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as federal, state, and local governments have strongly encouraged everyone to stay home and practice social distancing (maintaining a distance of six feet from others when possible). While getting exercise may feel insignificant in the big picture of a global pandemic, being active is good for your mental and physical health in so many ways, especially in times of stress. Fortunately, running outside by yourself makes a significant difference to your overall health while staying in full compliance with the recommendations from the health organizations and government.
According to the CDC, coronavirus is a respiratory illness that can spread from person-to-person. It is spread by respiratory droplets when a person talks, coughs, sneezes, or exhales. Those droplets are suspended in air for a little bit of time. Transmission may occur either when these droplets enter the mouths, noses, or eyes of people who are nearby or the droplets get onto objects that people touch, and then they touch their face.
The million-dollar question now is can you run outside during the coronavirus pandemic? The short answer is YES (unless you are sick or under a quarantine that requires you to stay indoors). Running (as well as walking or cycling) outside, by yourself can be a safe activity for healthy people. Ideally, you should run alone on a road (or trail) in a less-populated area remembering to keep a six-foot distance from others who may be out and about. Avoid group runs because anyone can be an asymptomatic carrier of the coronavirus and people congregating together can lead to transmission.
Why start running now? With gyms and boutique fitness studios closed, running is one of the few fitness options available that provides both stress relief and physical movement during the coronavirus pandemic. Not to mention that being stuck in the house, continuously watching the news and worrying about how long this will last does nothing to help a person mentally or emotionally. Running can be very meditative by allowing you to de-stress, be less anxious about the unknown, and reconnect to your mind and body.
Another reason to start running now is that it’s a good time to start focusing on strengthening your immune system. People who do moderate running are generally less likely to get sick from common colds and Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTI) like coronavirus than people who aren’t regularly active. In fact, having good cardiorespiratory health not only boosts your overall immune system and increase your lung capacity, but it can also help in the prevention of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
In a time of self-isolation and quarantine, running outside is a great workout option in the midst of the coronavirus epidemic. Ultimately, the decision to run alone outside is depends on the individual and location. Running provides relief from stress, boosts the immune system and is something you can safely enjoy outside while continuing to abide by the recommended guidelines.
Further Reading
Coronavirus (World Health Organization)
Benefits of Running: How Running Can Boost Your Immune System