It’s looking very lush these days - summer has arrived in Philadelphia and Southeastern Pennsylvania! The gaps between branches and trees have grown smaller and smaller. The first flowering trees of spring have now lost their blooms, transforming into dense green swaths. Leaves are growing darker as we get deeper into the summer. I’ve noticed that wildlife is more active and I hear baby birds chirping often. Bees flit from flower to flower. But only if you take the time to look closely!

Philadelphia has an abundance of parks and green spaces.

Whether you live in Philadelphia or the surrounding areas of Delaware, Montgomery, Chester and Bucks Counties, nature is out there for you to enjoy. We can all get busy and get caught up in the daily routines and stresses of our lives. A suburban dweller may have greater access to parks and green spaces, but if they aren’t taking advantage of these places, they are missing out on the mental health benefits and beauty that nature could bring to their lives. A Philly dweller’s access to green space may vary widely depending on what part of the city they live. It may take some extra effort to seek out spaces to escape the paved and man-made environments.

Of course living in a dense city has many advantages. Philadelphia's great sense of community, food, entertainment and cultural events can be a boost to anyone’s lifestyle and wellbeing. Shorter work commutes and the positive impact on the environment are also advantageous. While all this is true, living in an urban environment has been associated with increased stress and higher rates of some psychiatric disorders. Researchers have found that it is possible to counteract the negative effects of living in a densely populated, higher stress environment by increasing access to green spaces.

Time in Nature Improves Mental Health

The mental health and physical benefits of being in nature have been studied more widely in recent years. This research has already had an impact on urban planning and development. Certainly we do not need to rely on research specifically to conclude what many people know intuitively: that being in nature has a positive effect on stress levels, sense of wellbeing and even on having a healthy perspective about life. Biophilia is a word used to describe human’s innate desire to connect with nature and other living beings. Being in nature can feel spiritual to some, and this seems to be tied to our ancestral roots.

Our highly industrialized society is a relatively recent transition over the course of human evolution. I often remark to clients that our minds simply have not been able to catch up to the break-neck pace of modern life. The continual increase of stress and anxiety rates supports this idea. What often can feel like a personal failing for not feeling like we can “keep up” is so completely human. One of the things I love most about being in nature is observing the pace of change. It feels peaceful and calming to me because it reflects a much slower way of being.

Spending time appreciating nature can also help us to practice mindfulness and have an experience of awe. Mindfulness has exploded in popularity in the mental health field because it can help with many of the concerns that therapy seeker’s face. Mindfulness involves being aware of the present moment, seeing things clearly, and accepting what is happening in the moment. Developing mindfulness skills increases our ability to emotionally regulate, allows us to be self-aware, practice gratitude, and separate fact from fiction based on fears or past experiences. You can practice mindfulness in nature by observing your surroundings and noticing your responses. Mindfulness of your surroundings in a beautiful park can naturally lead into an experience of awe. Awe is a sense of reverential respect and wonder for what we are experiencing. Experiences of awe are shown to provide an expanded sense of perspective on life, increased feelings of connectedness, and enhance wellbeing.

Getting Outside in the Philly Area

While Philadelphia does have some absolutely wonderful parks, we might not get out and enjoy them as much as we’d like. I gathered this list with the intention to inspire any readers to get out and experience the benefits of what Philadelphia area parks and green spaces have to offer: