Therapeutic Location (OLD)

First, the immediate area where Cloud Nine Studios is located has several therapeutic properties. This location is extremely quiet. Although hard to find in a place this central within a major city—and with noisy environments not far away—there is essentially no street noise. Cloud Nine was built in a safe, mature neighborhood of a few cul-de-sacs, so there is no fast or through traffic; sometimes hours can pass without a car driving by. Furthermore, the apartments are set far back from the street, surrounded by natural canyon walls and mature vegetation, enhancing the feelings of insulation created by the Recovery Pathway. When combined with the white noise generated by the waterfall, it’s practically impossible to hear anything from the street while outside, let alone inside. Those living with PTSD will enjoy a significant amount of stress reduction just by living in a place free of chaotic sensory input.

However, the greater area surrounding Cloud Nine Studios also has several therapeutic properties of its own. While hardly a unique design decision, the choice to build in San Diego was the single most expensive and possibly most impactful one made on this project, because many aspects of living in San Diego amplify the efficacy of therapy and facilitate trauma recovery.

San Diego earns its nickname of “America’s Finest City” by consistently ranking at or near the top of cities nationally and worldwide, in nearly all measurable ways, including individual well-being, community well-being, and quality of life. This means that people coming from other areas are extremely likely to experience significant improvements in several aspects of life merely by being in San Diego, and many of these improvements directly contribute to trauma recovery.

For example: A resident moving to San Diego has a >99% chance to experience a more pleasant climate. In most places, inclement weather regularly depresses mood and prevents outdoor activities, causing lower levels of serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins. On the other hand, San Diego is famous for its consistently mild, sunny, and temperate climate, often cited as one of the best in the world. This allows for an unparalleled year-round outdoor lifestyle, with residents enjoying beaches, hiking, biking, and surfing virtually every day. The habits doctors recommend to fight depression essentially describe a stereotypical San Diego lifestyle.

San Diego is a microcosm of excellence across a wide range of measures, many of which contribute to its natural beauty in ways that also help people recover from trauma. San Diego has the one of the lowest pollen counts of the largest cities in the US, making it easier to sleep, relax, and exercise. San Diego is also in the most biologically diverse county in America, leading to more frequent opportunities to connect with nature. The ideal climate also makes it easier to grow food, and San Diego County has more small farms and more organic producers than any other county in America. More delicious fruit and vegetables makes eating healthy easier and more enjoyable. The climate will also help pets—even indoor cats are sensitive to changes in barometric pressure, humidity, and noise that comes from inclement weather, leading to agitation and anxiety.

Furthermore, although hard to quantify by any single study, San Diego is consistently rated as one of happiest and friendliest cities. San Diego has long been one of the safest large cities in the country with comparatively low rates of violent crime. The fact that all residents of San Diego enjoy these advantages compounds to form additional benefits, which helps contribute to a greater sense of community well-being, and on an individual level, can lead to lower levels of stress and anxiety and improve chances that interactions with others in the community will be positive.