We are well into October, which means the weather is more brisk and the leaves are changing to beautiful shades of yellow, orange, and red. It also means Halloween is upon us! Because of COVID-19 Halloween will look a bit different, but it doesn’t have to not be fun! In fact by having safe fun this Halloween it helps us practice mindfulness and increase our mental health! The following information is from the Center of Disease Control on having a safe Halloween this year.
Make Trick-Or-Treating Safer By:
- Avoiding direct contact with trick-or-treaters.
- Giving out treats outdoors, if possible.
- Setting up a station with individually bagged treats for kids to take.
- Wash hands before handling treats.
- Wearing a mask
Wear a mask.
- Make your cloth mask a part of your costume!
- A costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask.
- Do NOT wear a costume mask over a cloth mask. It can also make breathing more difficult
- Masks should NOT be worn by children under the age of 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing.
Stay at least 6 feet away from others who do not live with you.
- Indoors and outdoors, you are more likely to get or spread COVID-19 when you are in close contact with others for a long time.
Wash your hands.
- Bring hand sanitizer with you and use it after touching objects or other people.
- Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% Alcohol.
- Parents: supervise young children using hand sanitizer.
- Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when you get home and before you eat any treats.
Steps to take for Other Halloween Activities.
Enjoy Halloween activities and take steps to protect yourself from getting or spreading COVID-19.
- Always wear a cloth mask
- Indoors and outdoors, stay at least 6 feet away from others who do not live with you.
- Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently.
Decorate and Carve Pumpkins
- Decorate your home for Halloween.
- Carve pumpkins with members of your household or outside with neighbors or friends.
- Walk from house to house, admiring Halloween decorations at a distance.
Visit an orchard, forest, or corn maze. Attend a scavenger hunt.
- Go on an outdoor Halloween-themed scavenger hunt.
- Visit a pumpkin patch or orchard. Remember to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently, especially after touching frequently touched surfaces, pumpkins, or apples.
- Go to a one-way, walk-through haunted forest or corn maze.
Other Ideas…
- Hide Halloween treats in and around your house. Hold a Halloween treat hunt with household members.
- Hold an outdoor costume parade or contest so everyone can show off their costumes.
- Host an outdoor Halloween movie night with friends or neighbors or an indoor movie night with your household members.
Mental Health is a at a low for a lot of people because of COVID19. Studies have found that by celebrating or decorating for holidays, we actually improve our mood as it invokes good feelings from the past. So remember to be safe, participate in the spirit of Halloween safely, and if you need to talk to someone about your mental health or the mental health of a youth that you know or work with, do not hesitate to call or text us at 800 843 5200. We Hear You. Happy Halloween