#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 30^th 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.