An Anxiety Therapist’s Guide to Activities in College Park, Maryland
See beauties like these at the Kenilworth Aquatic Garden, not far from College Park, MD.
Managing anxiety doesn’t usually come down to a single solution. Improving foundational health habits (like sleep and nutrition), getting social support, and seeking professional anxiety therapy support, can all be helpful measures. But don’t overlook all the, often fun, ways that a variety of hobbies and local activities can help with managing mood and anxiety (and often physical health too!).
Living in College Park, Maryland has the advantage of local nature areas, cultural events, and community organizations. Plus having transit options to enjoy more opportunities in nearby towns and into DC via a quick Metro ride.
Activities Helpful for Anxiety Support
Anxiety impacts the body, mind, emotions and relationships. One hopeful way to look at this fact is that there are many possible ways to influence anxiety by working with any one of these parts of life, so you have many choices for finding a path forward. You can lean into things you already know and like, or expand your horizons by trying something new. There really is something for everyone. Let’s break this down into some broad categories, with specific options here in the College Park, MD area.
Time in Nature to soothe anxiety
Spending time in nature, whether you are getting some physical activity, or just watching the world go by, is great for soothing and balancing our nervous systems. There’s something very powerful about syncing up to the rhythms of nature instead of syncing up with our electronic devices. Luckily, even our busy College Park area has lovely natural spaces to enjoy. The Trolley Trail hiker-biker path, along the old trolley line, connects the neighborhoods of Berwyn, College Park, Riverdale Park, Hyattsville, with connections down to Mt. Rainier and Brentwood. It’s off the road and paved, so good for strollers too. Along the path you’ll find a couple Little Free Libraries (take and/or leave a book), and access to lots of local shops, bakeries and restaurants. Trolley Trail Day is an annual event with fun events up and down the whole path.
Lake Artemesia is a great choice for active and less-active ways to enjoy time in nature. The path around the lake is perfect for walking, jogging or biking, and there are physical fitness stations and kayaks available for rent, seasonally. For a less active experience, there are a number of gazebos and benches where you can look out for wildlife like birds and turtles, see what’s in bloom, or just watch the light on the water.
Lake Artemesia has a parking lot, but you can also get there by foot or bike on the connecting paths, including the Indian Head Trail, the Northeast Branch Trail, and the Paint Branch Trail. Bicyclists up for a bigger ride can then take the Northeast Branch Trail to the Anacostia River Trail and press on to the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (which can also be easily reached by car!).
The Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens are only about 6 miles from College Park, MD but can transport you to a whole different environment. It’s a unique park that’s enjoyable to visit any time of year but becomes spectacular in the summer when all the lotuses and water lilies bloom. If you go in the summer, bring a hat and sunblock since there isn’t much shade.
For all the water enthusiasts, there’s also the Bladensburg Waterfront Park, only 4 miles away from College Park (it’s also reachable by bike path). In addition to picnic and play areas, you can also rent kayaks there to take a spin on the Anacostia river. Or you can just sit along the water and keep an eye out for the many herons that visit the area.
Connect with creativity
The arts are for everyone! You don’t have to be “good” at them to enjoy them. Have fun!
The creative arts are a terrific, and often fun, way to help manage anxiety, whether you are doing something yourself or participating as a spectator. And I continue to bang the drum of the idea that you do NOT have to be good at any of these things to participate in them. The arts are for everyone. All ages, all experience levels, all abilities. Do it for the enjoyment of the experience.
The College Park Arts Exchange hosts a variety of arts related programming throughout the year. There’s everything from the College Park Chorale for singers, to book groups, to visual arts workshops, dance events and more. Many of the events are held at the Old Parish House on Knox Road, right next to the UMD/College Park Metro stop. They have performances to enjoy and events for all ages. Check them out and maybe try something new or revive an old interest that you haven’t made time for in a while.
Remember that being a spectator still give you amazing benefits of interacting with the creative arts. The Clarice Center for the Performing Arts, on the University of Maryland campus, brings world-class and local talent to our doorstep. They offer classic and cutting-edge performances in music, dance, theatre and more. There are often many free performances throughout the year, featuring the talented students of the university. Get a taste of all their offerings during the annual Maryland Day open house, when the campus opens its doors to the community for a full day of learning and fun. It’s free and open to everyone!
Want to try your hand at creative activities at home? Creative hobbies are great for keeping hands and minds focused on the present moment, allowing anxiety to settle for lots of folks. Stock up on supplies at nearby local shops, like Sweet Pea Fiber and Three Little Birds Sewing in Hyattsville, just a few minutes south of College Park on Route 1. There are classes there to jump start, or advance, your skills, and all kinds of kits and materials for projects to work on at home (even for complete beginners). I’m currently obsessed with the watercolor workbooks that have the outline sketches on the page and detailed instructions on how to paint them in, and recently picked up a needle felting kit to try for the first time.
Don’t miss the Shop Made in Maryland store in the city hall building on Route 1. They have on-demand arts and crafts you can make there, scheduled classes to enjoy, and kits to take home. You can even have a crafting happy hour/coffee hour there. Whether you go alone or with a friend, it can be a fun way to do something different and stay away from the doomscrolling.
Play your way to reduced anxiety
Play of all kinds is such an essential way for us to manage our moods, be in the present moment and connect with other. Most of us make very little time for play as adults. Maybe consider adding a bit more back into your life.
Pickleball is still enjoying a surge of popularity and there are free courts available in College Park, right off the Paint Branch Trail, over near the Community Center on Pierce Avenue in Lakeland. We’ve also got a disc golf course on Calvert Road, if you’ve ever want to give that a try. The public park there is free and open to all.
If you prefer your games inside, head to Game Kastle, up on Cherry Hill Road. In addition to a great shop, they have a whole heap of gaming events where you can join in with others, including special events to test out new games sometimes. It’s a nice way to meet others if you’d like to expand your social circle through a shared interest.
For more game fun with family and friends, check out Board & Brew on Route 1 in College Park. For a small, flat fee, you can try out any game they have there. The folks there will help you pick out something that’s a good fit if you’re overwhelmed with the selection. Plus they have a great food and drink menu so this makes a terrific alternative to a typical happy hour or brunch.
Get your Om on
Even though College Park, MD doesn’t have its own yoga studio anymore, you can still get your om on, in town or nearby.
Mindful movement, like yoga, is great for body and mind. All bodies welcomed!
The College Park Arts Exchange, mentioned above, offers weekly yoga and tai chi classes at the Old Parish House on Knox Rd. Prices are lower than most yoga studios and classes are open to all levels of experience.
You can also find yoga classes in town through the Prince George’s County Parks & Recreation Department. Their program guides come out seasonally, and there are often pop up events like Yoga In The Parks (bring your own mat, towel or blanket!).
Just a few minutes south of town, YogaSpace in Hyattsville has ongoing classes. And about 20 minutes from College Park, by car or Metro, you can find a whole variety of yoga classes at Willow Street Yoga Center in Takoma Park. They also offer hybrid or online classes so you can om at home.
Long Live Libraries
I am a total book nerd and am a huge lover of public libraries. Public spaces, like libraries and parks, are rare spots where we can gather with people, enjoy ourselves, and not pay a penny. Libraries can help connect you with information or community resources, and offer a variety of classes and events. Work from home and need to get out of your own four walls for a bit but don’t want to have to pay to do so? The public libraries have private study rooms that you can book for a couple hours, for free, with your library card, so you can stay productive and reduce the cabin fever.
While College Park doesn’t have a Prince George’s County library branch in the city itself, we do have three very close by in Beltsville, Hyattsville and Greenbelt. They all offer an incredible amount of free programming and resources, in addition to all the books and audiobooks your heart desires. Empower yourself with books about anxiety and mental health, or just get delightfully lost in a good story. The Hyattsville location, on Adephi Road, is right next to the Hyattsville Crossing Metro stop, walkable from the University Park neighborhood, and has been renovated in recent years (while still preserving the flying saucer statue outside!). The Greenbelt branch is just 10 minutes away from many parts of College Park and is right near the Greenbelt Community Center. The Beltsville branch is closest for those folks on the north side of College Park.
Check the library website for a full list programs and events that can help you feel connected to your community, keep you learning, and provide entertainment for the whole family. While you’re there, say “hello” to a librarian. They are pillars of our communities and know so much useful information.
Choose your own adventure
Whether you prefer your activities inside or out, active or restful, familiar or novel, there’s something available for you in the College Park area. In addition to just having fun, each of these options can also help with managing anxiety through different ways of connecting with ourselves, others, and nature. Many of them are free, or low-cost, so try something out. You never know what you might find that you enjoy!
Looking to work with a maryland anxiety therapist?
Activities are great, but if you would like specialized help to tame your anxiety, please reach out.
I offer specialized anxiety therapy in College Park, MD, and online throughout Maryland. If you’d like to find out more about how we might work together to help you find more inner calm and clarity, I’d love to connect. You can contact me to set up a free 15-minute consultation call to see if we’d be a good fit to work together.
Other services I offer include hypnotherapy, mindfulness-based therapy, life coaching, and support for LGBTQIA+ clients. Additional information is available on my home page.
About the author:
Beth Charbonneau, LCSW-C, is a Maryland therapist, specializing in anxiety therapy and treatment. With over 20 years of experience, she brings a holistic approach to calming the mind and body, and encourages her clients to feel empowered to find more joy in life. More information about her practice can be found on her website.
