Tourists, friends, college students, artists, and free spirits immerse themselves in Washington Square Park on a random fall afternoon. I begin to lounge against the steps directly across from the park’s trademark fountain, hoping the mist will trickle my way.
The air is filled with purpose and the city’s energy is vibrant. I mumble profanity under my breath that this is, shamefully, my first trip here. (I’m a native New Yorker, so there’s no excuse, really.)
I smile to myself as I see others reading and getting lost in their work, or as I observe two little ones reaching out over the water’s edge to search for copper coins. Then there are those who are simply sunbathing on the grassy grounds, while succumbing to a state of relaxation. I can sense that this is a place where my own stressors can evaporate, which brings me to the point:
Being outside, even if in an urban setting, can only benefit our mental health.
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Site last updated: 19 Jun 2013
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As dumb as this may sound, I used to love to be outdooors and I still do. But I feel that I have to watch it during the days because of getting too much sun. I’ve had skin cancer, so it’s made me afraid to go out in the hot sun. It seems like having sun screen on does not help.