Therapeutic Location (OLD)
Or does this belong in Modalities? We didn't invent San Diego, but the decision to build here was the single-most expensive and possibly impactful one we made, which was purposeful
Part of the ideal location
When viewed through the lens of trauma-informed design, the decision to locate these housing facilities in San Diego may be the
San Diego is amazingly therapeutic.
If you read through enough of this site, you’ll see that you’d be hard-pressed to find a bigger advocate of the healing power of therapy, which is well-supported by science. However, one should also not underestimate the healing power of San Diego, which is also well-supported by science.
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. This means that if you are visiting from another area, you’re nearly statistically guaranteed 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.
Let’s start with the most obvious: When you come to San Diego, there’s a >99% chance the climate is nicer than wherever you came from. 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.
Locals are used to so many aspects of life being ideal here, but visitors will be continually surprised as they discover yet one more thing that’s better in in San Diego. Why is the produce at the farmers' markets better than anything I’ve tasted? All that perfect weather 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. Why is it so much easier to breathe here? San Diego has the 4th-lowest pollen counts of the 100 largest cities in the US, making it easier to sleep, relax, and exercise. Why are there so many different animals around? San Diego County is the most biologically diverse county in America, leading to more frequent opportunities to connect with nature.
San Diego consistently ranks highly among measures of happiness, quality of life, and community well-being.
- When bad things are happening in the world, it’s usually not so bad in the US.
- When bad things are happening in the US, it’s usually not so bad in California.
- When bad things are happening in California, it’s almost never very bad in San Diego.
Even those who rage daily against California, they’re complaining about Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento—never San Diego. One of the largest problems in San Diego is high housing costs, but that’s a direct result of having so few other problems that everyone wants to live here.
And if you’re lucky enough to be in San Diego, it helps even more to be in a good spot. Fortunately...