The hustle and bustle of Washington, DC can be very exciting. But if you’re dealing with depression, it can be very draining. Each honk, each siren (250,000 per year!), and each person stopping to take an Instagram snap can be a rude awakening.
Depression Therapy in the Park
Depression, even seasonal depression, can bring you down. Just mustering the energy to get outside can be a chore.
Here are five ways that being outside can boost your mood.
- Nature’s Tranquility: Washington, DC is home to a multitude of peaceful, lush parks. Rock Creek Park and the National Arboretum are great examples. These serene environments offer an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, allowing you to immerse yourself in the soothing embrace of nature.
- Stress Reduction: Nature has been proven to lower stress levels. You don’t have to literally hug a tree 🙂 Whether it’s the gentle rustling of leaves or the sound of a flowing river, even just the sounds of birds, leaves, and running water can promote relaxation. This can help reduce anxiety and depressive thoughts.
- Physical Activity: Engaging in outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, or simply strolling through beautiful gardens increases the release of endorphins, your body’s natural mood boosters. This burst of physical activity not only distracts you from negative thoughts but also enhances your overall mental well-being.
- Sunshine and Vitamin D: Washington, DC has about 96 clear days per year. Sunlight exposure helps your body produce Vitamin D, which plays a crucial role in mood regulation. Just sitting outside can help. Use your or your friend’s fancy roof deck 🌞.
- Boosted Self-Esteem: Engaging in outdoor activities and accomplishing small goals, such as reaching a scenic viewpoint or completing a trail 🥾, can boost your self-esteem. This sense of achievement helps counteract feelings of helplessness often associated with depression.
How Depression Therapy Helps
Depression therapy helps by working through the harder aspects of depression. This can be low mood, less enjoyment in activities that typically give you pleasure, sleeping a lot more or less than usual, irritability, and so on.
Treating depression that includes innovative ideas like being outside is central to our practice. Of course, we can offer Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Neurofeedback for depression. However, having activities you can do outside the therapy session will boost your mood and self-esteem.
We aren’t your “uh-huh, tell me more…” type of therapists. Further, we work to understand your goals and come up with a treatment plan to help you inside and outside the sessions.
Begin Depression Therapy in Washington, DC, and Get Outside!
Yes, there are instances in which we can do walking therapy outside. But those are rare because we also have to keep your information confidential. If you’d like to do walking therapy outside, let us know.
Otherwise, we will meet you in our clean and easy-to-access office on 16th and K ST NW. That’s one block from the red line, two blocks from the Orange and Blue lines, and one block from the 16th Street bus lines.
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 depression therapy with you or someone you know. We are your resource to make it easier, even if you don’t work with us.
Other Services Offered by DCNE
In addition to depression therapy, we offer cutting-edge neurofeedback for depression, mental health assessments, and therapy for anxiety. Reach out today.