Written by Joel Schmidt, LMHC and owner of Float On Counseling, a Mental Health Counseling Practice in Tampa, FL. To begin your therapy journey with Joel Schmidt or a different therapist with the practice, visit our "Contact Us" page on our website (www.floatoncounseling.com) or call 813-515-9602.
There can be some disadvantages to living in a major Metro area that contribute to stressors, whether we are talking about traffic, cost of living, or a faster-paced kind of living than you might get in smaller towns or more rural areas. That said, there are also some major benefits and resources that come along with living in a larger city that make access to mental health support and activities more readily available when needed. With the Tampa Bay area, there’s the additional benefit of reduced levels of seasonal depression that can sometimes come along with long, gloomy, and cold winters. Year round, there are things to do and ways to stay active and connected - all things that are good for overall well-being. Here are some things you might consider doing for your mental health in the Tampa Bay area.
Go for a Walk Outside! Walking has obvious physical and mental-health related benefits. It can aid in sleep, reduced levels of stress and anxiety, lower depression levels, and enhanced cognitive function. The beaches, the riverwalk downtown Tampa, Bayshore Blvd, Lettuce Lake Park, Northdale Lake Park Trail, or Fort Desoto Park are just a few of the countless options available in the Tampa Bay area to get some sun and move your body.
Explore: One of the fun parts about living in the Tampa Bay area is that it is diverse in terms of things to do and places to go. No matter where you are, you’re generally going to be within 30 minutes of several other smaller towns with their own main streets, shops, restaurants, and attractions. Dunedin, Ybor City, Safety Harbor, and downtown St. Pete - all great places to visit and to get some variety and novelty in your day-to-day experience.
Find a Support or Therapy group: Visit Psychologytoday.com or google to find local support groups and therapeutic meetings. Look for groups that talk about whatever kinds of issues you might be looking for support for, whether it be anxiety, parenting challenges, general stress, grief, or a broad range of other issues. You don’t have to be in a really bad place emotionally or mentally to benefit from these types of groups, either. We can all use a little bit of peer support from people who “get it” sometimes.
Visit meetup.com: Whether you’re new to the area or not, it can sometimes be hard to meet new people and to broaden your support network and sense of community. Meetup.com has a ton of options when it comes to finding get togethers with like-minded people. You’ll find meetups that gather to talk or to engage in activities such as public speaking, specific hobbies, sports, music, bike riding, games, cooking, reading, dance, fitness, and many more.
Attend Wellness Events: Keep an eye on local events and you’ll be sure to see different wellness events, expos, and conferences around the Tampa Bay area that might include booths, speakers, and educational opportunities on how to best take care of your mind and body.
Learn something new: Learning can be a great way to keep the mind engaged, to meet new people, and to gain a sense of personal enrichment. Take a college class, learn a new language, start playing the piano, gain new art skills, take up woodwork, or get better at DIY home improvement. What’s that thing you’ve always wanted to be able to know how to do, but that you haven’t yet given yourself a chance to learn? Don’t limit yourself and remember it’s never too late!
Find Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteering is not only a way to meet new people but also a great way to help the community and to feel good about doing good. It can go a long way towards contributing to a sense of meaning, fulfillment, and purpose. Look for nonprofits in the area that are aligned with your values and ask how you can help! Walk dogs, help with beach cleanups, work at a food pantry, or plant trees with Tree Inc.
Find an Awesome Therapist: Living in a large city means access to hundreds of different therapists with a huge variety of specialties. Search directories such as PsychologyToday.com or Therapy Den. Browse bios on directories or directly through therapist websites to find a therapist who speaks to whatever you might be struggling with or wanting to work on. Select a few that seem like they might be a good fit and set up consultations to talk. Consider virtual therapy options if you want to see a therapist from the comfort and privacy of your own home and if you don’t want to deal with the traffic. Choosing to go the virtual route also opens you up to working with a Therapist anywhere in the State of Florida.
Participate in Group Fitness Classes: Yoga groups, running clubs, spinning classes, and fitness bootcamp meetups - just a few of the many options offered at local parks, businesses, and gyms. Like many of the other suggestions on this post, fitness groups can meet a variety of needs aside from just improving physical health. They get us out of the house, they get us connected, and they trigger release of those natural feel-good chemicals that boost the mood and levels of motivation.
See Live Music or Theater: Tampa offers a ton of options when it comes to live music and performances. Attending events like this afford the opportunity to meet new people, to feel connected, and to experience a little bit of culture. Aside from that, listening to music has shown to have interesting effects on the brain to include the release of dopamine and oxytocin while helping to regulate Cortisol (the stress hormone). Listening to music - especially live - just feels good.
Connect with the Water: Kayak the crystal clear waters at Weeki Wachee, snorkel at Honeymoon Island State Park, do a sunset dolphin cruise, rent a stand up paddle board somewhere, or learn how to scuba dive. There’s a lot of research that links connecting with water to an improved sense of well-being. Water is inherently calming and taps into an innate sense of tranquility and desire to be in a natural environment. There aren’t many major US cities with as many water-based opportunities, so take advantage of it.
When it comes to promoting good mental health and overall wellness, a good well-rounded approach is needed and the Tampa Bay area has everything needed in terms of resources to meet all of your mental, emotional, and social needs…it just takes a little bit of research and a willingness to tap into those resources. It’s easy to get stuck in routines and in comfort zones, but thinking out-of-the-box and putting yourself out there a little bit can really help support your mental health, sense of community, and feelings of being connected to yourself and to the world around you.
Joel Schmidt started Float On Counseling in 2017 as a solo practice and now works with multiple therapists to help Florida residents with their mental health needs. Float On Counseling offers in-person counseling for Tampa residents and online therapy for all Florida residents. Joel's specializes in counseling to combat anxiety disorders and he can also help individuals with a variety of services such as depression, low-motivation, moderation for drinking, and more. To schedule a therapy session with Joel, you can click our "request appointment" button on our website by clicking here, email counseling@floatoncounseling.com, or call 813-515-9602.