Finding calm and peace is getting harder and harder these days. We know that it is essential to our wholeness to have lives that are rich and full, but that also have spaciousness. As somatic trauma therapists, we KNOW anxiety and overwhelm. We work with people in somatic therapy who are flooded by their emotional lives because trauma has gone unresolved. People who experience such intense grief from the losses they have suffered. People who are in hard relationships with their partners, their parents, their children, and themselves. Here is a list of 9 places in San Diego, CA to calm your anxiety from us, your anxiety, and somatic therapy experts.
9 Serene San Diego Spots to Calm an Anxious Mind
Finding beauty and serenity in a place like San Diego, CA might seem obvious. However, when the nervous system goes into a busy state, it will take an active and conscious effort to seek out calm. San Diego has plenty of calm, put it on the calendar and go. Anxiety needs spaciousness, and attention, and needs more margin so it can settle.
1. Sunset Cliffs Nature Park. Stroll along the beautiful cliffside coastline, and feel the breeze, the smells, and the beauty. The sunset is beyond special here. Bring a thermos of tea and a cozy blanket. Breathe it in.
2. Balboa Park. This spot has so many highlights. Exploring the architecture of Balboa is a feast for the eyes in itself. We invite you to go slowly. The Japanese Friendship Garden is at the top of my list to induce extravagant peace. The timelessness of this garden, the incredible mindfulness involved in creating such beauty, and the plethora of sitting spots make this a lovely spot to explore gratitude, evaluate, ponder, and settle.
3. San Diego Botanic Garden. Located in Encinitas and situated amongst the rolling hills of diverse landscapes one can get lost, in a good way, in the beauty. I love to practice walking meditation using Thich Nhat Hanh's "every step is heaven" mindfulness technique. No better place to practice this than calming your nervous system.
"I promise that with every step I will touch eternity. With every step, I will touch heaven here on Earth." Thich Nhat Hanh
4. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. Another no-brainer--a natural reserve on the coastline. Yum. Torrey Pines' coastline, hiking, nature reserve, and beaches offer many options for movement or stillness. Sometimes anxiety needs movement, the saying "all dressed up and nowhere to go" fits this type of anxiety. And other anxiety is too much going on and needs slowness and stillness. Torrey Pines gives you these options amongst the stunning landscape of the ocean and cliffs.
5. Maya Moon. I recently discovered this little magic spot from a friend and fellow therapist Melissa McCormick. And because we are more like twins than I am my own twin, we have designated many evenings exploring our spiritual and emotional lives in this little haven. This spot is giving spirit, it is giving earth, it is giving magic. All things that our inner anxious selves need. We need a bigger perspective when fear is running the show. Let fair trade Ceremonial Cacao (Chocolate!) and gluten-free/vegan pistachio cake light the way.
6. La Jolla Cove, Shores, and Tide Pools. A sentimental location for me is La Jolla Cove where my mister and I married more than 10 years ago. Our spot, on the small grassy knoll next to The Museum of Contemporary Art, overlooked the cove at sunset.
This area of San Diego can get busy, so plan accordingly and go on off days and times to really get the anti-anxiety effects. My dear friend's practice called Mindful Guides by Nicole Kahn is near La Jolla Shores and I recently enjoyed my downtime at this beach. This spot is a stunning length of coastline perfect for walking, picnicking, and people watching. The Shores, Cove, and Tide Pools beauty can act as a reset to your week. You can even have a ritual where you take what is stressing you and release it into the ocean. She can handle it.
7. Oceanside Harbor Beach and Oceanside Pier. This little strip of beach is one of my favorites. Cruising through Oceanside to this beach on a beach cruiser is another option for soothing your anxiety. Being surrounded by people different from you, veterans and active service members, and people that we care for, and care for, can shift our perspective. Getting connected to the playful and funky can also take the edge off. You will find this here! Let Oceanside Pier and Harbor Beach give you a spot to laugh, reflect, journal, breathe, and relax.
This trail takes you along the lagoon for a few miles, the wandering nature of this trail invites reflection and movement. The diversity in the view also keeps the nervous system oriented to the present. Perfect for a morning or evening stroll to reconnect to nature. Nature, one of the most accessible anti-anxiety and antidepressants available to us, helps to sync us up to have all of our heart, mind, body, and spirit work better together.
This little park, full of gigantic eucalyptus, has picnic tables, a playground, and trails. Eucalyptus reminded me of my best friend's house in a small town in Northern California, a little haven of friendship. When I worked at the nearby Hospice of The North Coast I would often take a little hiatus at this park. I'd take my lunch, sit at a picnic table and just stare up at the trees. I'd be giving my nervous system a chance to catch up from all the emotion, loss, and grief surrounding me. This little slice of freshness can help you access a breath between activities or tasks. Like eating a sandwich, you need to take your time between bites, leaving room for digestion. Anxiety is often a symptom of too much, and not enough digestion.
Spaces for Peace and Support in San Diego
I hope this little list gives you a sense of hope. You can find calm in your life. You might also need to work on boundaries, saying no, or talking with the part of you that is anxious in a nicer way. But for now, take these spots as your sign that space is here for you. Put it in the calendar, block off more time than you think, and enjoy a breath. If these spots don’t bring you the calm you are looking for, you might consider getting some support from a trained somatic therapist. At Compass Healing Project, we are trained to help your nervous system find calm again, or for the first time ever. We are just a few clicks away and we’d love to support you find your calm.
Find Peace From Your Anxiety With The Help of Somatic Therapy in San Diego, CA
If you're ready to heal from anxiety and reconnect with your body, somatic therapy can guide you toward lasting calm and relief. At Compass Healing Project, our compassionate therapists are here to help your nervous system find peace, whether for the first time or once again. Take the first step toward healing by following these three simple steps:
Reach Out and Fill out our New Client Inquiry Form to get started.
Schedule a discovery call with one of our skilled somatic therapists to discuss your needs and goals.
Begin healing from your anxiety with somatic therapy.
Additional Counseling Services at Compass Healing Project
At Compass Healing Project, we provide a holistic approach to therapy, incorporating a variety of modalities to address a wide range of issues. Alongside our somatic therapy to help you heal from anxiety, we offer EMDR, Clinical Sexology, hypnotherapy, ketamine-assisted therapy, and embodiment practices. These therapies are effective in treating anxiety, depression, PTSD, grief and loss, sexuality concerns, and relationship challenges. For more information and to get to know us better, visit our blog. Our Colorado and California clinics are staffed with caring therapists who specialize in trauma resolution, emotional healing, and integrative therapy.
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