GEORGETOWN COUNTY, SC (WMBF) – Georgetown County is introducing \u201ccalm spots\u201d at local parks as mental health becomes a growing priority for residents.<\/p>\n
The first of five planned calm spots will be located at Morse Park in Murrells Inlet, designed to help people decompress in natural settings.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo calm spots will have some basic directions just to kind of lead you through some exercises of breathing, being intentional, being outside, listening, observing your surroundings, just an opportunity to disconnect mindfully,\u201d said Beth Goodale, Georgetown County director of recreation and community services.<\/p>\n
The idea of calm spots originated decades ago with the intention of boosting mental health by getting people outdoors. <\/p>\n
The concept draws from a Japanese practice called shin-rinoku.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe practice, the shin-rinoku, was developed in the 80\u2019s in Japan as a health program,\u201d Goodale said. \u201cIt was developed to give people opportunities to be intentional, relieve stress, to disconnect from the devices that cause craziness in many of our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
The spots are designed for people who need a mental break but don\u2019t have time for longer outdoor activities.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople are on their phone, on their computer, they get all kinds of constant information coming into them, and sometimes people just need a break,\u201d said T.L. Staub, Georgetown County Parks and Recreation outdoor coordinator. \u201cWe encourage people to hike and bike and paddle, but sometimes you just don\u2019t have the time to go out and do a hike for an hour or something, but you have time to come and sit for 15 minutes and just relax.\u201d<\/p>\n
The county plans to have five total calm spots at different parks across Georgetown County and hopes to increase that number in the future.<\/p>\n
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