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Unplug and Get Outdoors
Jamilah Al-Harake
An American-Lebanese from the United States, Jamilah has spent close to a decade living in the Middle East. She currently lives in Qatar with her husband, is working for the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies. She has a Masters in International Affairs, is an avid writer and traveller, and has two rescue cats and one dog. She hopes to one day start her own non-profit for children and use this column to inspire positivity to the community.
By Jamilah Al-Harake
Winter is often seen as a time of laying low and staying indoors. But for me one of the most beautiful advantages of living in Doha is that winter does not have to be a time of sluggishness and inactivity. Every week I notice an abundance of opportunities available to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather. I too can be guilty of becoming a victim of a regular work routine and find every excuse not to do anything but stay indoors after work, even on the weekends! When I do take a moment to pause, I realize how much time I’ ve spent telling myself I’ m too busy, versus using that energy to spend carving out activities for myself and my family to enjoy.
Yet I notice, once I decide to get outside I never regret spending quality time outdoors, no matter what kind of busy and exhausting week I’ ve had. So whether your family preference is to find a local organization that allows you to kayak in the Gulf, heading out solo or collectively taking a jog or a walk along the Doha Corniche, taking your children outside to play in Aspire, MIA, or another park, or even spending time volunteering to walk a dog at a several of the local animal shelters, there are so many positive associations with enjoying an outdoorsy winter while living in Qatar.
Start by picking an activity everyone in the family can enjoy, and let it become a weekly ritual for yourself and your children. I hardly ever set goals at the first of the year anymore, as I find it difficult to figure out a plan and stick to it while there are so many unpredictable variables going on around me. But I think it is beneficial to take winter to re-evaluate and renew ourselves, just as the seasons to, and include regular moments in life to be to enjoyed outside and make it happen on a regular basis. It can be as varied as participating in a charity walk, or organizing a beach cleanup, there are plenty of options! Ultimately, the way in which you interact within your own life is among one of the most powerful ways your child develops their own habits for the future.
One of my favourite outdoor activities is as simple as getting outside and walking my dog. Nature is especially relaxing, and I love seeing my doggie’ s reaction to everything. The wind, the grass, the birds; observing my surroundings during this time reminds me how often I forget to be mindful and enjoy the moments even when we’ re not together. For me it creates a unique and memorable experience that I can later remember when life gets too crazy, and that it doesn’ t necessarily involve knocking out 30 minutes at the gym,( although your family might enjoy that).
Depending on your preference, you can sign up for a Zumba class, take a walk every day after school or work, go swimming every week. Also, if getting outdoors isn’ t already an established part of your family routine, it is still early enough into 2017 to take small steps and build on them every day to include time in nature and physical activity at this time of year. The double advantage is that it gives your family an opportunity to become eco-friendlier. Your children can get involved with recycling or cleaning up the beaches with local organizations. You can ride bikes to the neighbour’ s house instead of using the car, as there are so many options.
By un-plugging and giving your mind a chance to re-engage, now may be the perfect time of the year to explore all the activities Doha has to offer and do them with your family. It is a great opportunity to get creative. Once summertime arrives in Qatar, most of us inside the country won’ t get the chance to soak up the sun. The key is to live in the present and make every season fun!
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