Finding Wellness in Walton County

From our 16 beach neighborhoods to our charming communities north of the Choctawhatchee Bay, Walton County has plenty of ways to pursue full-body wellness – at the start of the new year and beyond.

Not many things help you find balance quite like yoga. Take a break and find your center at studios such as Inlet Beach’s Myst (“Modern Yoga Style”) and Main Street Fitness Co. in DeFuniak Springs. Or take it beyond the studio with a private or group yoga session on the beach with local yoga instructors from The Yoga Haus.

If you want to take the pampering level up a notch or two, treat yourself to a day at one of the many spas in the area. Located at The Pearl Hotel in Rosemary Beach, Spa Pearl has private poolside rooms for massages, facial treatments, manicures and pedicures. The Pink House in DeFuniak Springs also has a full line of options, including a very popular infrared spa.

When you’re done replenishing your spirits, replenish your body. Walton County is filled with fun spots to find healthy meals or snacks. Prema Organic Café in Seagrove pays meticulous attention to the sourcing of the ingredients for their fresh, gluten-free goodies. Run by a husband-and-wife team, Everkrisp in Miramar Beach creates a seasonal menu of colorful salads and bowls featuring locally grown fruits and vegetables.

If you prefer to prepare your own meal, pick up a few things at Blue Mountain Beach’s For the Health of It. This long-standing boutique grocery store offers all sorts of organic specialties.

If you’re more in the mood to just sip to your heart’s delight, Walton County has no shortage of ­tasty and healthy beverages. Stop by Raw & Juicy, a casual yet refined Mediterranean-style café that has a nice variety of juices and smoothies. Sip on a tasty mocktail at one of the many local hot spots, including The Citizen in Alys Beach and the rooftop bar at Pescado in Rosemary Beach.

All that tasty fuel will have you ready to rev things up a bit, whether by land or by water. Outdoor activities are abundant, with four state parks, a 15,000-acre state forest and 15 rare coastal dune lakes complementing your easy access to the Gulf of Mexico.

Get your muscles working with some stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking or fishing on the Gulf of Mexico or Choctawhatchee Bay. Meanwhile, the Timpoochee Trail will carry you past colorful shops and stunning scenic beauty. And don’t miss Morrison Springs, just east of DeFuniak Springs. Refresh yourself with a swim in the main crystal-clear, spring-fed pool.

With more than 40% of the area’s land preserved for nature, it’s easy to find some quiet respite without wandering too far from the welcoming local communities. Any time of day, in just about any Walton County neighborhood, you can find unique ways to give yourself a happy little boost.