Tourists standing on the left side of the metro escalator. Cars making left-hand turns on K St. Two people riding one scooter on the sidewalk on U St. People always checking their phones. The news is always on TV.
Washington, DC is a stressful place to live. It is a busy city with over 20 million domestic visitors per year.
Where can you go to relax and reduce your anxiety? It can feel like nowhere.
When you know you need to relax and reduce your anxiety
One of the hard things about anxiety is that we typically realize we are anxious after we become anxious. That might sound obvious. But catching yourself before you become anxious takes practice and skills.
Here are five signs that your anxiety is increasing and you need a break:
- Constant Checking of News and Social Media: If you find yourself frequently refreshing news apps, social media, email, etc. it is likely a sign of increasing anxiety. The DC culture can normalize these behaviors. It can feel like being anxious is normal. While it might be common, it isn’t normal.
- Irrational Worry About Commute or Traffic: People who live in DC proper know the feeling when someone says they live on H St NE or Court House or Cathedra Heights. These aren’t the traditional hip areas. They can feel like crossing the ocean to get there. In truth, they aren’t that far. There are multiple ways to get there. There are great things to do there too. If you feel stressed when invited to hang out there or if a possible job is located there, you are likely feeling overwhelmed. Anxiety isn’t far off.
- Difficulty Disconnecting from Work: If you told me you worked full time and were in grad school at night, I’d think “Yeah, that sounds normal.” If you tell people who don’t live in DC, they might think you’re working WAY too hard. If you find it nearly impossible to detach from work, which includes school, it is likely a strong sign of anxiety.
- Heightened Impatience and Agitation: We’ve all seen that person who just missed their train or bus. We’ve all seen that person talking to themselves under their breath because their Uber parked on the other side of the street. If you notice yourself becoming impatient and this impatience causes distress, it could be a sign that anxiety is affecting your reactions.
- Excessive Overplanning and Scheduling: If anyone were to look at my calendar they might get vertigo and pass out. That is a sign of pride in DC. But for anxiety, it is a sign that someone is not taking enough time to unwind. Leaving no room for spontaneity or downtime can certainly heighten anxiety levels.
Places to State Shift Your Way to Reduced Anxiety
Yes, we are over-scheduled. We work insane hours and wear it as a badge. Yes, we are always checking the news. Yes, this has become normal. Anxiety in DC is common but it isn’t normal.
One way of thinking about anxiety is state shifting. If you are in a state of anxiety, shifting your state will help you reduce your anxiety. State shifting takes conscious effort. State shifting is typically done through the body, not the brain.
Here are some ways of thinking about state shifting that can really help reduce your anxiety.
Forest bathing is when you spend time in nature. You don’t need to take a bath. You just need to be out in nature. Washington, DC has some incredible natural resources. Here are a few places you can forest bathe.
- United States Botanic Garden: Right next to the US Capitol sits the United States Botanic Garden. It is an oasis of greenery and serenity. There is a rose garden, a tropical jungle, and an orchid garden. All of these are great places to take a forest bath. Take BOTH of your earphones out, hang up the phone calls, and dare we suggest even turning off your phone. Just stroll through the paths. Inhaling the soothing scents. Take in the natural beauty. These are ways to state shifts that can help reduce anxiety.
- Tidal Basin and Jefferson Memorial: Taking an early morning walk around the Tidal Basin gives you the best chance of beating any summer heat or tourists. It is usually calm and still. When the cherry blossoms are out it feels like a secret garden. Walking along the water’s edge, especially during the golden hours of sunrise or sunset, can be incredibly calming. The Jefferson Memorial’s classical architecture and tranquil atmosphere provide a peaceful space for reflection. Sitting by the water, watching the ducks, and taking in the majestic view of the monuments can help melt away worries.
- Rock Creek Park: Truly a gem in our hustling and bustling city. Rock Creek Park has numerous hiking trails, picnic spots, and a planetarium. The gentle rustling of leaves, the babbling creek, and the feeling of being surrounded by nature create a soothing ambiance. Whether you’re hiking, meditating, or simply enjoying the fresh air, Rock Creek Park is a sanctuary for relaxation.
Counseling Can Help with Reducing Your Anxiety
Go for a forest bath and bring what you notice back to your therapy session. Journal a bit about how your body feels, what your mind does, and how your emotions change.
This is gold for a therapist and even better, it is gold for you. You will develop the tools you need to catch when you’re becoming overwhelmed to prevent anxiety. This is what therapy can really help with.
The Center for Neurocognitive Excellence Uses the Gold Standard for Treating Anxiety
We’ve been helping people with anxiety for over 15 years. We use Cognitive and Behavioral Techniques, neurofeedback, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). We know how to use each one to help your specific flavor of anxiety. Weaving a treatment plan with the top-of-the-line treatments together is really what gives us the most joy. We do our work because we love seeing people reduce or eliminate their anxiety.
Begin Therapy for Anxiety in Washington, DC
If you’re overwhelmed or already anxious contact us. Our clients love the results they get from therapy for anxiety, that it sticks over time, and that they can often come off or reduce the dose of their medications.
We will guide you through the process. We offer consultations for anyone interested in our services or who wants to know more. You can book your consultation on our website, by texting us at 202-998-ADHD (2343), or by emailing [email protected]. We offer free consultations because we want to answer your questions before we begin therapy for anxiety. We are your resource to make it easier, even if you don’t work with us.
Other ADHD Services Offered by DCNE
In addition to Cognitive and Behavioral Techniques, neurofeedback, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to treat anxiety, we offer therapy for depression, ADHD therapy, and mental health assessments. We aren’t just an “uh huh, tell me more” kind of therapy practice. We want to get in there with you and provide real tangible results through assessments, and behavioral counseling to keep you on track.