15. September 2011
| by
John
It sometimes seems that the average resting heart rate of city dwellers is a full ten beats above what it should be. Even living in the ’burbs is getting tougher, as urban stress doesn’t respect those pesky city limits. So it makes sense why so many of us take vacations to slow down life’s pace. A week or two of fresh air, slow food, sleeping in, socializing and fun shouldn’t be a luxury, but something we should all consciously do for our physical and mental health.
Cottage vacations can be one of the best ways to get away from the city and breathe some fresh air. You can find a big cottage on a lake or a small one even an hour from the city center and reap the same benefits. Get your dose of “vitamin G” by being outside in a green space. Interaction with nature promotes healing, reduces depression, and sparks creativity. You don’t need a study to tell you that being outside will make you feel better! Going for a walk is great – but going for a walk out in the country is sublime.
Canada has more lakes than any other country, so if a cottage on a lake is what you desire, you can take your pick of provinces and find what you’re looking for. Lake Superior and Lake Ontario are great areas to stay, and Quebec’s beautiful Coulonge River offers many riverside cottages and camping areas.
A great way of boosting your health during your outdoor vacation is to eat locally. The locavore (or person interested in eating food that is locally grown) food movement is mushrooming (pun intended) in popularity across Canada. Different regions produce different crops during the spring, summer and fall seasons. August is a great month to vacation in Ontario, and you’ll never taste a peach so juicy and sweet. In PEI, organic farming is expanding with every year, and there are currently over 55 certified organic producers. There are many cottages PEI has to offer, and more produce stands organic and otherwise, than you can count.
Kelowna, in the Okanagan Valley of BC, is one of the most unbelievably fertile regions in Canada. It produces many internationally recognized wines. You can find organic wine and have local organic produce delivered straight to your BC cabins. Cottaging in BC is a great idea for a slowed-down vacation.
So when you next feel your stress level rising, make a mental note to plan your next “slow” vacation in Canada for some fresh air, fresh food, and some true rest and relaxation.
