Is this (going for a walk) genuinely safe? Sorry

[anonname]

Went out for a walk this afternoon as strongly advised by GP and CPN - said my mental health will get worse and worse and so will physical if I stay indoors . I’ve got huge OCD issues and other stuff going on -

I’m getting all sorts of help via nhs very suddenly in that have open access to emergency CPN and now being told will receive a call from some sort of MH professional weekly too .

Live quite rural - back on to 20 miles of continuous fields but front onto housing estate of about 75-80 houses .

Walked down street, used foot to open garden gate, sanitised hands after locking the door etc and walked down the road down through field paths . Cat followed - my cat, not just a random one - rather sweetly . I didn’t contact anything outside except a couple of branches to move them out the way . Did take one photo on my phone . Didn’t go within 6-10m of anyone at all - there is no one around . Didn’t touch face .

Came back in and washed hands immediately, washed phone with dettol and now sat on sofa pleased I went out but worried . I didn’t wear a mask and I’m trying to not do anything else (e.g shower or wipe shoes and wash hoodie) - as apparently that’s not at all necessary .

I am 99% sure I’ve done all I can and I’m safe but that 1% is niggling at me and I’m so worried, I know there’s no way anyone can tell me I’m 100% fine but I’ve likely done all the right things haven’t I ... I just want all this to go away, so desperately , and not to be living in fear 24/7 .

OP that's absolutely fine, please try not to worry.

This sounds fine. Absolutely fine!

I'd maybe avoid touching the branches is you want to be 100% sure but because you washed your hands well when you got home that's not really an issue.

I'm going for my daily walk and avoiding any walks that would require me to use a style/gate but otherwise just trying to enjoy the fresh air!

You are absolutely fine, we've just done same thing and I've given my hands a good wash but that's it. If I go to shops or anything I strip off, wash clothes and have a shower but a walk like you I think hands are fine. The weather is lovely and meant to get even better so enjoy your walk, hope they help

That sounds amazing! And super-safe, way more than most people can manage at all. I'm trying to imagine the 20 miles of continuous fields. Love your cat going with you. Please don't worry.

I think we can tell you that you're 100% fine with what you've done!

that would be stile not style I am definitely not stylish at the moment!

It's completely safe and completely fine. Where I live I can't go on a walk without encountering people! We cross roads to avoid people where possible but sometimes have to walk past people, probably closer than 2 metres. It makes me uncomfortable but I assume that the risk of quickly walking past someone is minimal and the risk to my mental health is huge if I don't go out.

Did u also sanitise the cat?

I think you’ve done it as safely as possible.

People should stay at home - inside, where possible. But if it’s helping your MH to go for a walk, then do that! Get off the streets & into the fields at the first opportunity & avoid the times that seem busiest.

You’re doing everything you need to. I was feeling worried about not washing my clothes, but I decided that if I haven’t brushed up against something people may have touched them there’s no need.

It sounds to me like protecting your MH is incredibly important here and this walk will do you a lot of good and you’re able to do it in a very safe way!

You can take as many photos as you want 😊. Try to enjoy your walk 🌷it’s a beautiful time of the year!!

It’s busier where I am, though still somewhat rural (edges of) so I go very early in the morning befire most people have opened their eyes, let alone been out of the house. You’re lucky to be somewhere less busy 😊

Thank you , can breathe a bit of a sigh of relief . It has helped a bit - GP doesn’t want me going into shops or chemist but said to make an effort to go out for a daily walk, even if the same route each time as minimal chance of seeing anyone ..

Goodness knows what the cat was thinking though, he followed the entire way ..

It does help being rural but in other ways a bit difficult as trying to get food shopping - without needing to use deliveries - is proving an absolute nightmare .

Sounds very safe.

Your car sounds absolutely adorable

Cat!

Absolutely fine.

We all have to balance risks. For example, you could stay inside your house for 12 weeks and not even allow anyone to deliver anything, and you'd guarantee that you wouldn't catch Covid-19.

But you'd starve to death.

Going outside once a day is good for your mental health, and mental health is important. Secondly, lack of physical exercise is a risk factor for all kinds of other conditions.

And finally, if you do catch Covid-19, you need to be as physically and mentally healthy as you can to start with. Going out for walks in the countryside is a safe way to foster your health.