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5 Outdoor Activities to safely enjoy this Spring 2021

Hi Everyone,

The arrival of spring signals the end of a long, hard winter; the return of warmer weather and one whole year since the spread of COVID-19 began to impact the lives of billions of people. While we may not yet be able to enjoy spring in the same way that we did in years past, people of all ages can still go outside to enjoy the longer daylight hours and the promise of warmer weather to come. Safe outdoor activities during the coronavirus pandemic are those that allow for social distancing and won’t lead you to defy any local or regional pandemic regulations. Some public outdoor spaces may still be closed, so you may not be able to play pickup basketball, have a barbecue with your friends in a state park, or even take your kids to a public playground.

However, this doesn’t mean that you have to stay cooped up indoors. Spending time outside and in nature can help give you a much-needed mental reset as well as giving you physical exercise. Need a few ideas? Take a look at the list of safe outdoor activities below and keep these activities in mind for the next sunny day… or any day, really! (Please remember, if you choose to go to a place where you may come into contact with people from outside your household, continue to social distance and wear a face mask.)

1. Walk in nature When you need a change of scenery but not in the mood for a more intense workout, going for a walk is a great way to get your blood circulating and to get some fresh air into your lungs. And while you’re out and about, make sure to notice the signs of spring. Which spring flowers do you see? Are the trees in bud or growing new leaves? Can you see baby birds or the return of insects? Do you see other animals emerging from their winter hibernation?

2. Tie those laces up and go for a run Going jogging or running is a great activity if you want to get out of the house and get in a cardiovascular workout at the same time. Just don’t forget to be courteous to others while you’re outside. Be sure to maintain your distance from people you might encounter and carry tissues with you so that you don’t spread any germs. Dispose of any used tissues responsibly.

3. Ride your bike – or teach a child to Whether you’re cycling hard or going on an easy ride, maintain proper social distancing while you’re riding. Cycling is a fun activity for the whole family, and young children feel a real sense of accomplishment when they learn how to ride a bike without training wheels. It takes a bit of practice and a few false starts, but once your child has mastered the art of bike riding, they won’t want to stop!

4. Go birdwatching If you’re lucky enough to live somewhere rural or within easy traveling distance of an open natural beauty spot, bird watching could be just the activity for you. Guides for birdwatchers are readily available, and springtime is a good time to spot birds’ eggs and nests. How many types of birds can you spot?

5. Feed ducks at a local pond Make sure that there are no local ordinances prohibiting feeding ducks before you take part in this activity. Believe it or not, bread is not the best food for ducks because of its low nutritional value, so try birdseed, oats, rice, or vegetable scraps instead.  

Other outdoor activities you can safely participate in include rollerblading, fishing, horseback riding, swimming, and camping. Whichever activity you choose to do, it will help you escape the monotony of everyday life and can help to strengthen relationships between family members. By reducing stress and tension, strengthening family bonds, and bringing a sense of accomplishment, outdoor activities help to improve our overall health. If you’re not used to enjoying time outdoors, start off by purposefully turning off the television, avoid looking at your phone, and go for a short walk. There’s an entire world out there to be enjoyed beyond staring at the same four walls.

Stay safe as always everyone!  

#Spring time #Outdoor activities #Covid activities #Spring activites #Enjoy nature #Get outdoors

[homeswapgenie]

It’s Easter Time 2021

Happy Easter to you all.

Easter is a special occasion and also marks the season of Spring, the exchanging of easter eggs, hampers and enjoyable family get-togethers (where this year we will have to follow social distancing guidelines of course). The most mysterious part of this particular spring holiday is that the exact correct date of Easter is unknown and changes every year.  So, when is Easter? There has been different claims regarding how it changes in accordance to the moon and the Jewish calendar. But what remains true is that this season is meant to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The non-religious side regarding Easter

There is still a debate from both the religious and non-religious sides. The history of Easter is that it was a pagan festival, and recent and traditional symbols indicate the non-religious side of this celebration. Most holidays are commercialised, and the Easter holiday is no different with the sale of Easter eggs, bunny products, hampers, plus its symbols and gift-giving.

Easter bunny and hamper gifts

Easter is not complete without giving easter eggs, chocolate bunnies or easter hampers filled with colourful eggs and confectioneries to the kids, our friends and family.

The Easter bunny has always been a symbol of the Easter holiday and signifies the time Anglo-Saxons worshipped the goddess called Eostre who was a symbol of a rabbit.

Fun things to do around Easter

There are so many enjoyable family-fun type activities to get involved in around Easter which create fond memories. It is a great time for playful activities with the kids such as designing and colouring eggs. And also hiding mini chocolate eggs around the house, in the garden, or the local park, and then the entertaining task to find all the eggs.  It is this kind of happiness families get from the famous Easter Egg Hunt which brings about beautiful family bonding time, and not forgetting eating the delicious sweet brown eggs that have been found!

The Ultimate Chocolate Hamper for Easter

Why not try this amazing chocolate hamper over the Easter holidays which comes in a large wicker basket filled with a humungous variety of all the popular favourites from Cadbury’s and many others.

For more details, check out this blog post: http://bit.ly/3fc3L3B

Have a safe and Happy Easter!

#Easter #Easter Celebration #Good Friday #Easter Eggs #Easter Bunny #Easter Holidays #Easter Lockdown #2021

[homeswapgenie]

How to boost the immune system with Echinacea during a pandemic

As the whole world continues to wait for this Covid-19 pandemic to be over with, looking after our health has become a top priority in the past year. Finding ways to boost the immune system has become sought-after, and in recent years a popular herbal remedy by the name Echinacea has provided some relief to the common cold and flu.

What is Echinacea?

Echinacea is one of the oldest and approved herbal supplements in the world. Echinacea is a Native American plant from the daisy family and is a natural fighter. It is categorised as an immunostimulant, which is a substance that is known to boost a body's immune system.

How does your immune system work?

White blood cells are part of the body's cells that make up the immune system. These are the body's first line of defense. If a flu virus enters an individuals body and begins to multiply, the white blood cells calls in for help from the T-lymphocytes, and also can get help from lymphocytes. All of this working together allows the body to aid in destroying the viruses.

How does Echinacea work in the body?

Echinacea works differently from other treatments. It works directly, killing the germ by strengthening an individuals immune system. There is evidence that Echinacea stimulates the body into producing more white blood cells. It also stimulates the release of interferons. These are what the body uses as a fighting weapon. Echinacea also helps to prevent bacteria from producing an enzyme called hyaluronidase, which works through the membrane, and invades the tissue. Echinacea also has been known to eradicate many types of viruses.

How to take it

This depends on an individuals immune system. It is best to first check with your GP beforehand, as there are some health conditions that Echinacea may not agree with. But in most cases, it is safe for an individual to take three hundred milligrams, three times a day.

Some individuals take Echinacea on a daily basis to prevent colds and flu from developing. Other people take it once they feel a cold coming on, nipping the cold or flu straight in the bud!

Does it work?

Echinacea has been studied in Germany in a controlled study. The individuals who took Echinacea experienced less frequent and severe virus infections. Studies continue to show that there are no toxic effects to taking this herbal supplement. As with any medication or supplement there are some side effects, and one side effect from Echinacea could be diarrhoea, and in particular if one exceeds the daily dose.

There are many things that an individual can do to help to boost the immune system, and taking Echinacea regularly during the winter months especially can prove to be very beneficial. Studies continue to show the effectiveness of this herbal remedy. As more and more people continue to look to other alternatives, Echinacea will continue to gain in popularity. If you would like to give this remedy a try, click on the link below:

https://blog.homeswapgenie.co.uk/boost-immune-system-echinacea/

And remember to always check with your doctor before taking any supplement in general.

Let me also know what remedies you are using to boost your immune system.