Where to go when you’re feeling anxious? An Anxiety Therapist offers Three Places to go in Madison, WI
Where can you go when your anxiety is ramping up? Most often, movement and change of scenery can help when you’re feeling anxious. I’m Bronwyn, an anxiety counselor in Madison, WI. (I provide virtual therapy throughout Wisconsin, Massachusetts and Washington, DC.)
First, I want to be clear that I don’t know the best place for you when you’re feeling anxious. I probably haven’t even met you! And if I had, you would still be the one who knows yourself best. The reason I’m writing this is that it can be helpful to think about what places are calming for you. I want to get you thinking about what you need when you’re anxious. It can be beneficial to think about this before a moment of acute anxiety, so you have it on hand. It might also be good to go to these places more regularly, in order to prevent anxiety from showing up as often.
Keep in mind no place is perfect! The particular kind of anxiety you’re experiencing, as well as the state of the place you’re going can greatly influence whether it feels calming for you. Again, this is a way to get your mind working on ideas.
All of these places are outside in nature. Especially if you’re a Highly Sensitive person, nature is a fantastic way to soothe yourself. However, there might be plenty of other places indoors that you might find calming like bookstores and coffee shops. Below are three places to get your mind going.
Place #1 to go in Madison, WI when you’re feeling anxious: Picnic Point
Picnic Point, located half a mile walk from parking lot 130 near the UW Health University Hospital, feels a bit like being in Door County to me.
There are lovely trails near and on the water surrounded by trees whose leaves whisper in the wind in the summer and turn brilliant shades of yellow and orange in the fall.
You can walk straight down the main path and get to the overlook in about 20 minutes. 40 minutes walking round trip is a great amount of time to turn down the volume of your anxiety. Or you could wander off to either side if you’re looking for more woods, or more water. I’ve never been there when no one else is there, so if you’re looking for solitude, Picnic Point is probably not the place to go. However, there are enough side trails that you can usually find something close to solitude, and a couple benches to boot.
Picnic Point is enough off the beaten path that you don’t feel like you’re in the city when you’re there. You already know that grounding is a great coping method for anxiety. At Picnic Point, you’ll find any number of ways to feel more grounded. You’ll be able to hear and spot a number of birds, both in the trees and on the water. You’ll likely be able to hear the waves lapping the shoreline too. You can use these sights and sounds for a 54321 grounding exercise. Picnic Point is a great place to disconnect from whatever has caught your anxious attention by focusing on the sights and sounds of trees, birds, lake and sky.
If you’re going during business hours, make sure you pay the parking fees. The parking monitors will ticket you without payment, or if you’ve overstayed past the time you paid for. You can also bike there on the bike path. There is good bike parking at the main trailhead. Be aware that during the summer, people use the water near the shore as a hangout for swimming and motor boats (some of which play loud music).
Place #2 to go in Madison, WI when you’re feeling anxious: The Observatory Drive Overlook
On Observatory Drive, just west of Charter Street, between the William H. Sewell Social Sciences Building and Waters Residence Hall, is a gorgeous overlook on the UW Madison campus. It’s one of the few public places that overlooks Lake Mendota from that high. You can sit on the big grassy hill and gaze at the many blues in the lake below. Something about looking from up high can help reduce your anxiety.
There is plenty of grass for you to lie down and give your hands or your feet direct contact with the ground.
Similar to Picnic Point, being near water is often soothing. If you feel like moving, you can walk down the steps to Parking Lot 25 and walk or bike the Lakeshore Path. Moving your body, even for a short period of time, can really help reduce your anxiety.
Street parking is paid during business hours. As with Picnic Point, don’t expect to avoid a ticket if you don’t pay.
Place #3 in Madison, WI to go when you’re feeling anxious: UW Arboretum
If you’re looking for more solitude when you’re feeling anxious, the UW Arboretum is a good place to find some. You’ll be able to hear the highway, but it doesn’t drown out the birds. The evergreens in Longnecker Gardens are a great place to let the wind, birdsong, and smell of fir trees give balm to feelings of overwhelm. Even in the springtime when lots of people are out to look at the flowering trees, you can find quiet places in the miles of trails.
The UW Arboretum has the most blooms in all of Madison during the spring.
Lilac, magnolia, redbud, crabapple, and cherry trees are everywhere in Longnecker Gardens! To mitigate the crowds, try going on a rainy or cloudy day. The blooms are no less magnificent. On a warm day, you can smell the lilacs already from the parking lot. These scents are a great way to use your 54321 grounding as well as simply give you joy.
Especially if you’re Highly Sensitive, there are plenty of opportunities to practice grounding at the UW Arboretum in the midst of anxiety. There are spots to lie on the grass and plenty of trails for hiking if you’d rather be moving. There are even cross country ski trails in the winter!
Parking is free. You can enter from Arboretum Drive or off Seminole Highway. However, be aware that you can’t drive through from one entrance to the other. The parking lot blocks through traffic. Also note that although the speed limit on Arboretum Drive is 25mph, you will easily end up going much slower since there are lots of bikers and walkers on the drive that you’ll need to be careful passing. Give yourself plenty of time to get there and back if you’re taking Arboretum Drive.
Which of these places do you think would help your anxiety? What other places come to mind?
About the Author
I’m an anxiety therapist who loves to help women and HSPs feel more connected to themselves and their surroundings. I founded Bronwyn Shiffer Psychotherapy to do just that!
In addition to anxiety counseling, I also provide therapy for depression and HSP therapy. Based in Madison, WI, I provide virtual therapy throughout Wisconsin, online therapy in Massachusetts, and telehealth therapy in Washington, DC.
Looking for a regular place to process your anxiety?