Beach Therapy

Is the rat race of your everyday life stressing you out? Does the thought of one more day of rush hour traffic, deadlines, and unbearable coworkers, make you want to call in sick? Or maybe you home life is not what you want it to be. Well you may not need a therapist, you may need the beach.

The rustling wind, excited gulls, clean air and emerald green waves crashing against the sugar white sand seem to melt life’s worries away and revitalize the body. And now there is proof that this may be by design.

Research has shown the act of simply being on the beach can soothe the mind and heal the body. Recent studies have proven that just gazing at water eases mental strain and calms nervous tension. It is believed somewhere in our genetics, we as humans are inherently draw to the sea.

Throughout history you can find evidence to support this belief. It is known that the Romans would recommend time on the beach to help heal their soldiers. Sea journeys where once believed to heal Tuberculosis. In modern days, we attempt to replicate the healing properties of the beach in our everyday lives. Products such as seaweed wraps, mud baths, and wave sound machines are widely known for their therapeutic qualities. Each promises to bring their specific seaside environmental qualities into the home.

However, none of these items hold a candle to the real thing. A machine could never reproduce the ocean’s magnificence and remedial properties. The true therapeutic power of beach can only be experienced in person.

The question is. Are you ready for some therapy? You can find a good place to start your treatment on Florida’s Emerald Coast. We offer all of the benefits discussed above and some that have not. To find out more please visit Emerald Coast Sands.

We look forward to your rehabilitation.

Homemade Sunburn Relief

If you forgot the sunscreen and are suffering with the pain associated with sun exposure, relief is in sight. Below is a collection of homemade sunburn reciepes that will sooth the pain as good as any store bought product.

Sun Burn Lotion
8 ounces non-medicated lotion
5 drops clove oil
5 drops peppermint oil
2-4 teaspoons powdered Comfrey Root
2-4 tablespoons Aloe Vera gel
Mix together thoroughly in a bowl.
Chill, if desired.
HINT: Amounts of Comfrey Root or Aloe Vera gel may be increased, but do not increase the amounts of clove or peppermint oils, as they may cause skin irritation.

Cucumber Sunburn Lotion
1 cucumber - chopped
1/4 cup Glycerin
1/4/ cup Rose-water
Squeeze juice out of the cucumber with a lemon-squeezer, and mix with Glycerin and Rose-water.

Sunburn Soothing Bath
2-4 cups *Colloidal (not regular) oatmeal
1/2 to 1 cup baking soda
1-2 cups powdered Chamomile flowers
1 cup buttermilk, optional
Add all ingredients to bath water, or wrap in cheesecloth and tie to the faucet for adding aroma.

Sunburn Mist
2 fluid ounces of distilled water
9 drops of lavender
2 drops of peppermint
1 drop of spearmint
Mix all, then mist lightly over sun-burned skin.

Various Natural/HomeMade Remedies
1. Apply undiluted apple cider vinegar to sunburn.
2. Mix 10 ounces Non-fat Dry Milk, 2 tablespoons salt and 25 ounces water. Saturate cloth and apply to sunburn 20 minutes.
3. Apply mayonnaise as a skin cream to sunburn.
4. Use Aloe plant, or pure aloe vera gel.
5. Apply peanut oil to sun-burned area(s).
6. Apply thin slices of cold, raw cucumbers, apples, or potato directly to the skin.
7. Apply cold, plain yogurt, then rinse with cool water.
8. Apply cold, used tea bags to sun-burned eyelids to relieve pain and swelling.

I hope you feel better

(Thanks To http://www.classbrain.com/artfamily/publish/article_34.shtml for the info)

Emerald Coast Vacation Rentals

You will find a Emerald Coast vacation rental on the Guld Coast along the Florida Panhandle – a great tourist draw all year round. If you are a sun and beach fan, then this is the area where you would want to be in the summer. As the name implies, the Emerald Coast is soothing green-blue water, bordered by extremely beautiful beaches. The sun is ablaze yet mild, the bleached sand is the finest you will ever find, and the water sports could keep you active from morning to night.
Why is the Emerald Coast Vacation Rental an phenomenal Choice?
The beach has always been a great allure for children and adults. The Florida beaches, the enticing water, and the outstanding entertainment choices that are offered for young and old, make this region a hot favorite of many. It is a perfect destination for any family, especially those with adolescents. Emerald Coast vacation rentals offer the right blend of beach cosiness and dwelling at the same time.
How many times have you felt like taking a break while your children wanted to take a dive in the water or construct sand castles? How many times would you have liked to cook up a good meal, without having to cart yourself from the beach where the rest of your family is delighting in the sun? How many times have you felt like you had to pack the complete house for couple of hours on the beach, making you feel like a pack mule carrying things here and there? Well, this is what Emerald Coast vacation rentals will offer you – places which have all the answers.
You will find Emerald Coast vacation rentals present you a place to stay out of the sun if you want to, a place where you can grill hamburgers while the kids play in the sea water, a place where you can take your shower and rinse the sand from yourself before you reach your home. All this, without removing yourself from the seashore for a second. It is like having full value for your money plus a dividend!
Emerald Coast vacation rentals are ready to present you all that you want and need to be entertained, such as DVD players, the Internet, TV, and so on. So, you can have a swim in the AM and then relax on the bed with the newest bestseller without departing the beach for a second. You can go out and sun yourself on a lounging chair, or you could take a catnap on a cozy bed, while still being only a brief radius away from your children.
As a bonus, the Emerald Coast has breathtaking golf courses, and charismatic places to visit. On Emerald Coast you get to enjoy both water and land activities, besides getting to relish some exceptional seafood cuisine, typical to this area that is totally remarkable. This is one of those few vacation spots which has something great for each and every portion of your family. This is one destination that will leave each one of them thoroughly satisfied and equipped to pick up the threads of their normal lifestyles.

Jellyfish Sting

While rare, occasionally here in the Emerald Coast a swimmer may experience a sting from a jellyfish. The jellyfish that inhabit the panhandle coast are by in large non-dangerous, some people may have allergic reactions to their toxins. These allergic reactions are usually mild, only last a few minutes.

The best way to treat a mild sting is to apply vinegar to the affected area. Be sure to remove any tentacles that may still be present. Follow up with pouring very hot water (not burning) to the wound. Relief should be noticed in 5-15 min.

If vomiting, nausea, or victim becomes lightheaded. Seek medical attention.

As I said before, jellyfish stings are a uncommon occurrence here on the Emerald Coast. However, I wanted you to be informed of basic treatments in the rare chance you or someone you love is stung.

Beach Warning Flags

As Tropical Storm Barry makes his way to the Florida Gulf Coast, the area has seen an increase in surf and tide strength. Please be aware that even strong swimmers are advised to take caution when entering the water.

During these times of increased tide strength, rip currents will form. Rip currents are the number one surf hazard for all beach goers. They are really dangerous for weak swimmers. Rip current speeds are normally 1-2 fps. However, speeds as high as 8 fps have been observed--this is faster than an Olympic swimmer can swim! Rip currents can sweep even the strongest swimmer out to sea.

Remember: Never Swim Alone

1. If you get caught in a rip current remain calm




2. Don't fight the rip current. To swim out of current, follow the direction of the shoreline. Once out of current, swim towards shore.




3. If you are unable to swim out of current, remain calm and float or tread water until out of current.




4. If needed try to draw attention to yourself, but remain calm.




5. If you see someone who need help, call 911

A good way to avoid rip currents is to observe coastal warning flags. These flags are posted near all public access points to the beach. The flags will give you insight to the conditions of the ocean.

Understanding Coastal Marine Flag Colors:

• Double Red Flag= Water Closed To Public




• Red Flag= High Hazard




• Yellow Flag= Medium Hazard




• Green Flag= Low Hazard




• Purple= Dangerous Marine Life (jellyfish, Sharks)

Please make yourself aware of these precautions and you and your family will have an enjoyable beach experience.

Hurricane Season

Friday begins 07's hurricane season in Florida. The city of Destin wants residents and visitors to be prepared. So again this year the city is offering a Hurricane Guide. This Guide will contain information on evacuation routes, survival supplies, and shelters.

I do not want to alarm any of our future visitors, as the risk is quite low that the area will see any sever activity. However, it would be wise if planing a trip to keep the weather in mind and know the proper procedures to take if a hurricane where to head our way.

You can even visit the city's Web site at http://www.cityofdestin.com/ and sign up for official emails regarding hurricanes in the area.

Otherwise, when in the area please visit the Destin Community Center for your paper copy of the 07 Hurricane Guide

Emerald Coast Convention & Visitors Center

The mission of the Chamber is to strengthen local businesses and enhance the quality of life i our community by providing services which help businesses help themselves. Stop in for visitor & relocation information.

www.fwbchamber.org

Phone: 850-244-8191

Destin Area Chamber Of Commerce

Voted Nation's Best Chamber in 2005. Our mission statement: Building a world class community one buisness at a time. Stop in for visitor and relocation information.

www.destinchamber.com

Phone: 850-837-6241

Basic Information

"The Emerald Coast (sometimes called the Redneck Riviera) is an area in the southeastern United States on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, roughly bounded by Pensacola, Florida on the west and Panama City, Florida on the east. The area is known to have some of the most stunning beaches in the world, famous for their sugar-white sands and warm, emerald-green waters.
For many years, the beaches were also deemed to have the whitest sand in the world where it sparkled in the sun and squeaked when walked on. Contrary to popular belief, the sand is not bleached by the sun, but comprises Appalachian quartz that filters down to the coast from the mountains. The emerald-green color of the water is due to the sugar-white color of the sand laying beneath the clear blue water thus providing the area's namesake feature.
Popular vacation destinations include Pensacola Beach, Gulf Breeze, Navarre Beach,Fort Walton Beach, WaterColor, Panama City Beach, relative newcomer Destin, and Seaside, a development community whose iconic pastel-paint and tin-roof construction was made famous in the Jim Carrey movie The Truman Show, filmed in the area from 1996-1997. Other communities on the Emerald Coast include Perdido Key, Navarre, Sandestin, Grayton Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, and Seagrove.
The area is known as a family drive destination, although in the past decade, its popularity has expanded greatly, leading to new construction booms and seemingly overnight changes. Many development communities similar to Seaside have sprung up in and the west end of Panama City Beach, raising property values.
Deep-sea fishing is a huge draw for the area, with Destin holding the nickname "World's Luckiest Fishing Village" (and several saltwater world records) and Panama City Beach hosting the annual high-dollar Bay Point Billfish Invitational. Eating seafood is perhaps even more popular than catching it, with a seafood restaurant and/or oyster house seemingly on every other corner.
This roughly 100-mile stretch is home to several military bases, with installations including Pensacola Naval Air Station (home of the Navy's famed Blue Angels flying squadron and the initial training site where all naval aviators earn their "wings of gold"), Hurlburt Field, Eglin Air Force Base (one of the largest military bases in America), Tyndall Air Force Base (home to the Air Force's new F-22 Raptor fighter jets), Coastal Systems Station-Naval Surface Warfare Center (home to the Navy Experimental Diving Unit and Naval Diving & Salvage Training Center), and Corry Station Naval Technical Training Center.
In addition to military and related civilian contractors, which are a major presence, tourism, fishing and hospitality industries are also major employers in the area."

taken from Wikipedia