Research shows that a “Living Well Lifestyle” is undeniably important for our wellbeing, yet so many of us ignore that simple fact.
We now find ourselves in the final three weeks of the winter season. And soon, the world will start waking up again for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. What would you like to complete, accomplish, do or experience before this winter ends?
You may find yourself overwhelmed by all the duties and responsibilities you’re facing and yearning to escape and avoid them instead. That’s natural.
Here’s the good news. A full Moon in Virgo on February 24 gave us a permission slip to be gentle with our thoughts and words and to pay attention to our health during these final weeks of winter as we ready ourselves for the busy Spring season ahead.
Niagara-on-the-Lake Is All About Lifestyle
Now is an especially good time to adopt and indulge in a Living Well Lifestyle, a ground-breaking discovery that unveiled five regions, known as Blue Zones, around the world where people live exceptionally long lives. An important aspect of this lifestyle is our ability to take our cues from and be in sync with nature. The tangible benefits of the Living Well Lifestyle become apparent in the remarkable health, happiness and low stress levels of residents and visitors alike.
Niagara-on-the-Lake offers a way of life that pays homage to the lessons learned from such vibrant communities by integrating the 9 main pillars of a Living Well Lifestyle:
- Freedom
- Access to nature
- Sense of community
- Tranquility
- Walkability
- Activity (fitness, adventure)
- Beauty (architecture, design and spaces)
- Connection/sociability
- Nourishment
Let’s look at how these nine pillars are so effortlessly incorporated into daily life in Niagara-on-the-Lake and how everyone benefits from such a lifestyle.
Movement: Moving Naturally
The opportunities for movement within Niagara-on-the-Lake arise naturally, and often, spontaneously and unplanned.
A typical day may start with an early peaceful walk on the network of natural trails that meander through the Commons, along the waterfront and on the Niagara Escarpment in Queenston and St. David’s. A variety of versatile sports and recreational choices available include kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, yoga, high-intensity training at the community gym, golf, swimming, tennis, biking, hiking and running.
Additionally, friends and family meet for lunch at one of the many restaurants, followed by a walk to the beach or to any of the town’s boutiques and art galleries or taking in a live stage performance at the Shaw Festival. At day’s end, many meet at a park on Lake Ontario to unwind and watch the sun go down.
Love and Being Loved: Putting Family and Friends First
In a walkable town like Old Town in Niagara-on-the-Lake, skipping time in traffic allows more time and energy for what is important.
There are wonderful opportunities where you can spend time with family and friends at organized weekly activities such as movie nights, live music events, festivals, arts and crafts sessions and workshops, wine tastings, kids’ clubs, BBQs, art exhibitions, moon ceremonies, stargazing, yoga, pizza nights and more.
Downshifting: Slowing it Down and Reducing Stress
Stress is part of everyone’s life, and finding ways to reduce its impact is a significant focus for Niagara-on-the-Lake residents and visitors. Fortunately, Niagara-on-the-Lake offers an array of options and spaces for downshifting in and around town.
This might include engaging in healing sessions at one of the numerous spas, hitting the trails on foot or bike, taking a walk in nature, forest bathing, practising yoga, meeting for outdoor workouts, joining friends for a sunset drink, journaling on a rocking chair at your favourite B&B while sipping a cup of coffee or tea, meditating in one of our historical churches or simply strolling through Old Town, admiring the beautiful architecture that imparts a sense of calm from another era.
Nourishment: Benefits of a Plant-Slant Diet
While food choices, preferences and habits are entirely up to the individual, restaurant chefs and your B&B hosts in Niagara-on-the-Lake have ramped up their efforts to increase the availability of organic produce that is grown locally.
In collaboration with local farms, vegetable gardens and agricultural cooperatives, chefs encourage agricultural practices that support a respectful cycle of the food’s growth and their interaction with it. This fosters a sustainable and efficient nourishment of the soil, and as a result, of our bodies.
Purpose: Belonging and Being Part of a Tribe
While this may look quite different for most people, choosing to become part of such a community, even for a short time, naturally leads to the pursuit of similar purposes, at least regarding health and lifestyle.
Niagara-on-the-Lake offers an unparalleled lifestyle for both residents and visitors. It’s a place where people can feel better and healthier at any time of the year.
The highly walkable Old Town of Niagara-o-the-Lake includes hotels, bed and breakfasts, cottages, villas, shops, restaurants, day spas, parks and recreational facilities, all nestled between the Niagara River and Lake Ontario. Throughout the region of Niagara-on-the-Lake, walkable public spaces are interwoven with nature, emphasizing an indoor-outdoor lifestyle that is healthier, more satisfying, more fun and more sustainable.
So Many Reasons to Visit Year-Round
With summer fast-approaching, you may want to book your preferred spot as early as possible because Niagara-on-the-Lake is especially popular during the high season (May through October). To help you plan your next escape to Niagara-on-the-Lake, here are a few tempting events slated for 2024:
Until February 29: SeaSky International Light Show at Reif Estate Winery
Until Mid-March: Skating at the Great One’s Backyard Rink and at The Gardens at the Pillar and Post
March 16 & 17 and 23 & 24: Around the World Event at Reif Estate Winery
April 2 to 8: Coming of Age exhibit at the Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre
April 8: Solar Eclipse Events at Wayne Gretzky Estates, Niagara Cycling Tours, and Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery
Until April 29: Strike a Pose: The Art of Self-Obsession at the NOTL Museum
June 7: White Effect Dinner
June 15: Shaw Garden Tour
June 15: St. Andrew’s Strawberry Festival
June 29, 30 & July 1: Artistry by the Lake
July 6: St. Mark’s Cherry Festival
August 10: Peach Festival
August 11: Shades of Rose Dinner
August 18 to 25: 2024 World Rowing Championships in St. Catharines
October 4: Shaw Autumn Soirée
October 5 & 6: NOTL Beer/Harvest Festival
December 6: Candlelight Stroll
December 14: Christmas Parade
Helpful Tips
Lost & Found: Did you lose something while you were in Niagara-on-the-Lake? Contact the lost and found centre at the NOTL Chamber of Commerce located at 26 Queen Street in the lower level of the building. Or call 1-905-468-1950 or email tourism@niagaraonthelake.com for more information.
Metered Parking: General information on metered parking in Niagara-on-the-Lake is found here. Your STAY Niagara-on-the-Lake hosts feature complimentary on-site parking for guests and are happy to advise you on where to park for free in and around Old Town.
Accessible Parking: Several accessible parking spaces are located throughout the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, both on the street and in municipal parking lots. All vehicles parking in the accessible zone must display an original and current accessible permit. Any vehicle found parked in an accessible zone without the valid accessible permit will be ticketed $400. The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake has approved the use of accessible parking permits in the following areas only:
- Designated accessible zones/spaces; and
- At any meter free of charge, including municipal lots governed by pay-and-display parking meters. In these locations, a pay-and-display permit is not required if the vehicle is displaying a valid accessible permit.