First proposed in the mid-1980s by a 9-year-old Michigan boy (whose style we’re definitely fond of here at The Strand Resort), National Relaxation Day has become a social media sensation that’s been promoted by the likes of the Mental Health Foundation, the U.S. Army and BBC Earth. And in 2020 — marking some rare good news in a so-far-short-of-stellar year — the pseudo-holiday’s date (August 15) falls on a Saturday, making it a perfect opportunity for a late-summer beach getaway to the Grand Strand.
Consider the following restful and restorative ways to spend your Relaxation Day unwinding at The Strand resort on the Myrtle Beach oceanfront this year:
Do sunrise yoga on the beach — Where better than the beach to bust out your best Downward Dog, Mountain Pose, Tree Pose, Cobra and more? Thanks to the Carolina coastline’s soft sands, you can even leave your yoga mat behind — just be sure to dress in workout clothes you don’t mind getting a little sandy. Further, watching the sun peek over the water-filled horizon to a chorus of crashing waves and seagulls is sure to give your morning workout a relaxing vibe.
Watch the sunrise with friends and family — If you’d prefer to skip the morning workout and get straight to relaxing while soaking in the coastal sights (maybe even with a steaming cup of coffee in hand), there aren’t many better ways to start the day in Myrtle Beach than by watching the sun rise over the ocean waters. And when you stay in an oceanfront room at The Strand Resort, you won’t have to go far to take in the sun’s ascent into the skies over the Atlantic — your roomy balcony is the perfect spot for talking it all in.
Lay out in the lawn — Among the many amazing amenities found on-site at The Strand Resort, the oceanfront pool deck and tanning lawn might be the most relaxation-ready. With shady cabanas, lush greenery, a cooling pool, a fire pit surrounded by lounge seating, and more mellow-mood-inducing features, it’s the perfect spot to take a load off and soak up some sun over some great conversation, or solo with a good book in hand.
Relax by the pool with a tropical drink — For those who prefer to cool off poolside with a frozen drink, of course, The Strand can also accommodate. To kick the peaceful, easy feeling up a notch, swing by The Strand Bar and grab a frozen (or sudsy) concoction of choice to sip on while you kick back poolside.
Spend some time on the beach — Of course, with the Atlantic Ocean right in your backyard, no trip to Myrtle Beach would be complete without spending some quality time in the oceanfront sands. So be sure to slather on some sunscreen, spread out a beach towel, dive into a good book, and while away a few hours (or more) while soaking up the sun’s warm rays oceanside. When the temps start to heat up, of course, you can always hop in the Atlantic’s blue waters to cool down a bit.
Go to the gardens — Found about 20 miles south of The Strand in Murrells Inlet, nature-focused attraction Brookgreen Gardens treats its guests to a 9,100-acre sculpture garden and wildlife preserve offering a collection of lush and expansive botanical gardens, each with its own distinct theme. As home to the nation’s most comprehensive collection of American figurative sculpture, the grounds also showcase more than 2,000 artworks by 400-plus artists. Other relaxing attractions on the property include a butterfly garden, historic rice plantations, nature trails and the Lowcountry Zoo.
Hit the trail — Located in Little River about 30 minutes north of The Strand, Vereen Memorial Gardens gives visitors 150-plis acres of forest and marshland to explore — with some sections of the typically quiet and sparsely crowded property bordering the Intracoastal Waterway. Here, you and your vacation crew can get away from it all by hiking the approximately 3 miles of boardwalks and nature trails traversing the park’s botanical gardens and wildlife habitat. For more information, visit the Horry County parks website.
Take a stroll: Located about 15 miles inland from the Myrtle Beach oceanfront and The Strand Resort, the historic and charming river town of Conway is a great day-trip destination for anyone vacationing at the beach. It’s also an extremely walkable place, as most of its scenic downtown attractions are found just blocks apart from one another. Downtown Conway’s top destinations for a relaxing and scenic stroll include the Conway Riverwalk, which follows the banks of the Waccamaw River and passes alongside rustic wooden buildings, marinas, bridges and a playground along the way; as well as a collection of quaint downtown shops and restaurants.
Ready to start planning your next relaxing — and socially distanced — Grand Strand vacation? Visit The Strand Resort’s website today to book your restful and restorative stay on the Myrtle Beach oceanfront! With our luxurious oceanfront accommodations and wide range of fun on-site amenities, we’ve got everything you’ll need to take a load off on our quiet and calming stretch of the Carolina coast!