Since 1992, April has been recognized as Stress Awareness Month. The month is meant to bring awareness to the public on the causes and cures of stress. It’s an important reminder for all of us to get some exercise and find time to just be (without our phones, of course).  

Go for a walk.

Read a book.

Listen to a babbling stream of water.

Watch birds frolic in trees.

Meditate.

There are many benefits to meditating, and eliminating stress normally tops the list. Reducing anxiety, increasing self-awareness, improving sleep, controlling pain, lowering blood pressure and improving focus are among others.

A perk of meditating is that it can be done anywhere, but we think Forest Park is the perfect spot if you’re looking for a quiet place to still your mind. Here are a few of our favorite places:

Deer Lake
Located just north of The Muny, Deer Lake and its surrounding natural area provide many secluded spots for reflection. I like to sit upon the rocks that overlook the water. If listening to water soothes you, you might want to find a spot closer to the Deer Lake Riffles so you can hear the water flow over the rocks.

Picnic Island
Despite its popular location, not too far from the Emerson Grand Basin and Art Hill, Picnic Island feels secluded thanks to the many trees that provide great shade and privacy. This is one of my favorite spots in the Park for laying on a blanket and watching the sun dance through the trees.

Round Lake
Just northwest of Victorian Bridge in the northeast corner of the Park sits Round Lake. Its secluded location in the Park is great for a quiet meditation with few people around. There is a new large stone with a compass on which you can sit or on one of the benches that face the lake.

Art Hill
While I recognize this might not be the most obvious location to meditate, I find that I enjoy the connectedness that comes from sitting alone alongside others, and there’s no better place for this than Art Hill. I can lay back on a blanket and watch the clouds or close my eyes and focus on the distant murmurs of others out enjoying the day.

If you’re not in St. Louis, you can create a calming environment, perfect for meditation, with the sounds of Forest Park which are available at listenforestpark.org. Here you can listen to our high-fidelity, hour-long recordings of John F. Kennedy Memorial Forest, Emerson Grand Basin, Picnic Island, Deer Lake Savanna, and Prairie Boardwalk. 

If you’re new to meditation, here are some resources and guides to help get you started:

https://www.mindful.org/how-to-meditate/

https://www.artofliving.org/us-en/8-tips-get-started-meditation

Looking for free guided meditations for when you are in the Park? Check out this free guided meditation to get you started.