Go outside, and other tips for preserving sanity through the dark pandemic winter ahead

Staying home and physically distanced from loved ones has taken a toll on many people’s mental health. Experts are worried the situation will be even worse in the fall and winter when colder, wetter, shorter days could force people to spend even more time in their homes.

Exercising and socializing outdoors have become indispensable for many of those trying to keep their spirits up during the pandemic — and that will be harder in the winter.

One science reporter who’s been covering the pandemic, Apoorva Mandavilli, suggests that people should spend as much time outdoors as possible now to bank that resilience for the fall and winter ahead -- which she says "will be bad."

The UK Academy of Medical Sciences urged their government to undertake “a public campaign encouraging people to take positive action before winter to improve physical and mental health and boost resilience.”

Their suggestions included improving diet, increasing exercise, and coming up with approaches to manage stress.

Kathy Wolf, a professor at the University of Washington who researches the relationship between green space and mental health, is skeptical about the extent to which spending more time outside now can alleviate stress and anxiety from being cooped up in October, December or next February. She suggested an alternative approach to preparing for the upcoming pandemic winter: making going outside a habit.

“Start to build this into your routine,” she said. “Build this into your lifestyle, so it carries you throughout the year, no matter what the weather.”

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Wolf said it’s particularly important for children to spend some time outside every day, especially when their schooling is on a computer screen.

And, she added, “if you have the resources … build that wardrobe or materials or whatever it is where you’re safe, warm and comfortable while you’re outdoors.”

Wolf said being outside on a wet day isn’t so bad if you have clothes that keep you warm and dry.