#MentalHealthMonday: Soaking Up Summer!

#MentalHealthMonday: Soaking Up Summer!
What if we told you it was in your best interest to enjoy all that summer has to offer?

These warmer months are typically a time of year where we have more time to spend with family and friends, more opportunities to be active, and possess an overall improved mood. As of Wednesday, June 30th at 12:01 a.m., Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopen entered into Step 2, which means we gain a greater amount of freedom to safely participate in fun, low-cost experiences! Below we have highlighted some benefits of vitamin D and gathered ideas for local activities to check out this month!

Getting Vitamin D

Vitamin D may be recognized as the ‘sunshine vitamin’ as our skin produces it in response to sunlight. It is particularly important for calcium absorption and regulation of serotonin, but also for normal growth and development of teeth and bones as well as overall proper immune system functioning. Vitamin D can also be consumed by supplements or through foods such as egg yolks, oily fish, and fortified foods like milks, juices, and breakfast cereals.

Benefits of Vitamin D on our mental health include:

  • Increase in energy levels
  • Can reduce/prevent symptoms of depression
  • Can reduce/prevent symptoms of schizophrenia
  • Can reduce/prevent symptoms of anxiety
  • Can reduce/prevent symptoms of premenstrual syndrome disorders
Soak up the Vitamin D through:

Get your farm fix by visiting fleecy friends!

Forget-Me-Not Alpacas

1595 Concession Road 3 Beaverton, Ontario

Open Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Per person: $12 + HST

Kids 3 and under: FREE

Pre-booking online is required in advance to visit.

Credit cards accepted.

Salem Alpacas

363 Salem Road Manilla, Ontario

Open Wednesdays to Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

By appointment only- please call ahead to book a time at (705) 786-2023.

Adults: $5

Children under 12: $2

Cash accepted.

http://gamebridgegokarts.com/

Bring out your inner race car driver by operating on an 8-metre wide track!  Great for both kids and adults, as well as first-timers.

2687 Concession Road A Brechin, Ontario

Open daily 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

$20 + HST for a 10 minute race (add races for $15).

https://www.lindsaydrivein.ca/

Perks of moving watching from your own vehicle include wearing pajamas and bringing comfy supplies like pillows and blankets!

229 Pigeon Lake Road Lindsay, Ontario

Open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Tuesdays rain or shine.

Box office opens at 7:30 p.m.

Show starts at dusk.

Dogs are welcome.

Double feature movie nights!

General admission: $15

Kids 3-12: $5:00

Kids 2 and under: FREE

Tax included, debit and credit cards accepted.

Take a break from shopping for pre-packaged foods and purchase what you pick!  Check out these local farms for a strawberry picking experience (subject to availability so please call before visiting)!

Holliday’s Farm Fresh Vegetables

1641 Glenarm Road Woodville, Ontario

Open daily 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Cash and debit accepted.

Linton’s Farm Market

571 Raglan Road East Oshawa, Ontario

Open Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last entry at 4:00 p.m.)

Open Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (last entry at 3:00 p.m.)

Cash, debit, Google pay, and Apple pay accepted.

Tindall Farm & Market

13669 Regional Road 1 Uxbridge, Ontario

Open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Cash and e-transfer accepted.

Plus pick your own flowers (coming soon)!

White’s Creek Flower Farm

1125 Concession 7 Beaverton, Ontario

$15 to fill a mason jar *based on last year’s pricing*

Cash, debit, and e-transfer accepted.

Parks

Beaverton Ball Park

Beaverton Centennial Park and Farm Forum

Beaverton Harbour Park

Beaverton King Street Park

Mill Gateway Park

Cannington Clair Hardy Baseball Fields

Cannington MacLeod Park

Manilla Park

Port Bolster Park and Brock Soccer Park

Sunderland Park

Hiking Trails

Beaver River Wetland Conservation Area and Trail

Lagoon Reserve Walk

MacLeod Park Nature Trail

Trans Canada Trail

Walking Trails

https://www.lavender-blu.com/

Tour the farm and pick your own lavender to reap the benefits of its calming properties!

2375 Bank Road Seagrave, Ontario

Open Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Per person: $3

Kids 12 and under: FREE

Pick your own: $10 per bundle

By appointment only: please call ahead to book a time at (905) 922-6983 or e-mail contact@lavender-blu.com

https://www.thesunflowerfarm.ca/

Visit Brock’s own Sunflower Farm for picturesque views and a local escape!

24430 Sideroad 17 Beaverton, Ontario

Opening for the season end of July.

Pre-booking online is required in advance to visit.

Online booking opens July 15th.

Adults 18+ : $15 + HST

Youth under 18: $10 + HST

Children under 10: FREE

Age 90+ : FREE

https://www.tndf.ca/

Although we have not opened back up to the public, we still have ways for you to get good food and to learn from home!

Check out our resources:

Pantry Clips

Summer Activity Book

16 York Street, Cannington, Ontario

39 Cameron Street East, Cannington, Ontario

705-432-2444 | info@tndf.ca

Flip through our active programs:

How will you be spending your summer?