Living in London is the epitome of the proverbial ‘double-edged sword’ and as much being in the heart of the capital is an exhilarating, motivating, and intense experience, it is also one of the most polluted and noisiest cities in the entirety of the western world. Naturally, therefore, the peace, quiet, and tranquillity needed for balanced and healthy mental wellbeing is much harder to come by. Here is a Londoner’s guide to finding peace and quiet in the big city.
Architecture
The rich and diverse architectural buildings in the center of London and its surrounding areas are plentiful and copious. However, to experience architecture in peace and quiet, you will need to wander off the beaten path. With outdoor attractions across the country now fully reopened, locations such as the Barbican Conservatory and St Dunstan in the East and Crystal Palace Park are perfect destinations to discover stunning architecture in the peace and quiet.
Solo Dining
There is a plethora of benefits of eating alone if only for the ‘me’ time you are afforded when you treat yourself to a meal in a new or favorite restaurant. Dining alone enables you the luxury of eating at your own pace, getting some time to yourself, and, most importantly, you achieve the peace and quiet that you are searching for. Mediterranean cuisine is rich in flavors, and restaurants such as the Café Luca restaurant in London will provide you with a relaxing and peaceful lunch where you can enjoy all that the cuisine has to offer.
Nature
Every Londoner knows that on a regular, daily basis, it is unlikely you will come into contact with even one individual tree on your commute to and from work. Thankfully, however, there are plenty of parks and green areas in and around the center of London, including Hyde Park, St James’ Park, and Regent’s Park. The best time to visit such famous and notorious green locations is early in the morning or after lunch, when workers are busy in the office and tourists are fulfilling their booking commitments. Don’t forget that you can find peace and quite just outside of the city, as well. Check out this stargazing pods UK link to find peaceful places to enjoy the outdoors and all the stars in the sky. Nature and sunshine play a critical and much-needed role in positive mental health and well-being, and people who are connected to nature tend to be generally happier in their day-to-day life.
Art Galleries
Museums and art galleries are the ultimate escape for peace, quiet, and tranquillity, especially if you are somewhat of a culture vulture, and spending even an hour in many of the copious museums and art galleries in London will enrich your mind, body, and soul.
Whether you are an art aficionado or unable to tell your Mona Lisa from your Magna Carta, the benefits to your mental health when visiting galleries are undeniable. The space to contemplate, challenge your mind, and the time to interpret different artworks in your own way is invaluable, and who knows, it may lead to a new interest in specific areas of art and design. It is possible to find peace and quiet if you know where to look. Try the above and see how you get on.
