Despite living on a road, there are plenty of nice cul-de-sacs around where I live, but there's one in particular that I enjoy the most; I typically venture down its winding asphalt layer upon my mom's request to exercise the dog, but more and more I've started to enjoy them for myself. There's something special about the cool, fresh air and the warm yellow beams of sunlight falling onto you and the ground you stand on. This is an actual psychological effect called "forest bathing," and it is proven to help you physically and mentally, but even if you don't want to believe the science I would at least urge you to try it. Going alone or with a pet in the wilderness is a true escape from the chaos of our current world. There are no sounds of worry or stress; there are no charts and graphs detailing the exponential threat of the virus; there is only the sound of birds, leaves, and silence. A silence that clears the mind, a silence that cleanses you of worry; a silence that only a walk in the wilderness could produce.

Sometimes our expectations and the comments of others can cloud our vision, making this situation seem hopeless and dark until it has passed. Who would have ever known such a simple act could do such wonders.