Awaken Your Healthy Spirit This Summer

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As the summer heats up, so do our activity calendars. Graduations, weddings, holiday celebrations and family events can easily build an entire summer's worth of weekend events. All of this running around drains our energy and leaves us with little time to nurture our health and spirits.

The Finger Lakes Region offers a multitude of opportunities to break away from the madness and achieve physical, mental and social balance by connecting with all that nature has to offer. To help people get back to balanced living, Preferred Care, area health care agencies and the Finger Lakes Visitors Connection have formed Nature's Health Club, an initiative designed to help people identify and make use of all the ways nature can help achieve health and wellness.

The nearly 5,000 miles of walking, riding, sailing and biking opportunities in the Finger Lakes Region give those seeking relaxation and inner peace the chance to take in fresh air and meditate. Physical activity also contributes to a well-balanced lifestyle as endorphins released during exercise aid in increased levels of productivity and overall happiness.

In addition, the area's many visitor attractions such as Sonnenberg Gardens, the New York Wine & Culinary Center and CMAC, host summer events that incorporate nutritious meals and physical activity to provide visitors with ways to truly relax and enjoy the summer.

"Filling our schedules up with weekend events and activities, after a busy work week adds to our daily stress and diminishes our journey to health and wellness," explains Ellen Lindahl, RN, MPA, Director of Health Promotion for Preferred Care. "By taking family or alone time, or by participating in non-required events, you can relieve stress and get back on track to a less stressful summer.

Consider the following upcoming events to help you refresh your spirit and enjoy this summer in July:


Moonlight Stroll in the Gardens
Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park
151 Charlotte St.
Canandaigua
Garden stroll with lights, music, wine & cheese tastings. Carriage rides available. Fri evenings in July. $. 8 - 10pm
Phone: 585-394-4922
Web: www.sonnenberg.org

Musselman & Mini-Mussel Triathlon at Seneca Lake State Park
north end of Seneca Lake
Geneva
Sprint & half-iron distance multi-sport event for athletes ages 13 & older
Swimming, biking & running events
Phone: 315-636-4268
Web: www.musselmantri.com

Culinary Kids - Junior Chef Camp
at NY Wine & Culinary Center
800 S. Main St.
Canandaigua
Classes in cooking, baking, prep, equipment, utensils, culinary outings & more $ Kids 8-14
9am - 4pm
Phone: 585-394-7070
Web: www.nywcc.com

Native American Dance & Music Festival
Ganondagan State Historic Site
1488 State Rt. 444
Victor
Native American performers, arts & crafts, traditional art demos, storytelling & longhouse tours $ 10am - 6pm
Phone: 585-742-1690
Web: www.ganondagan.org

Women's Kayak Adventure
Canadice Lake
Canadice
2 1/2 hour paddle around lake. Includes instruction, equipment & lunch $ 9:30am - 1pm
Phone: 585-329-3664
Web: www.adventureoutny.com

Additional ideas for simple activities and healthy living can be found at www.natureshealthclub.com

Consider picking up a couple of Sue Freeman's Guidebooks. She is the author of 10 guidebooks to outdoors fun in Central and Western New York, including 200 Waterfalls, Take A Hike, Take Your Bike and Cobblestone Quest. Visit www.footprintpress.com