Where to find some zen in Denver

Calm feels harder to come by these days. If we're not physically on the go, our minds seem to be. And the news cycle certainly isn't helping.

Why it matters: Slowing down and practicing meditation and mindfulness is key to combating stress , which studies show can impact our long-term health.

We recently asked Axios Denver readers for their top places to find peace in the city. Here are several spots they said not to miss:

🎨 The Clyfford Still Museum offers a "STILLness: Meditation in the Galleries" class for a morning of quiet reflection before the galleries open with seated and walking meditation.

🙏 The Zen Center , Shambhala Meditation Center and Kadampa Meditation Center provide guided meditation sessions and tranquil environments.

😻 Animal therapy is real, and at the Denver Cat Company and Teddy Cat Cafe , adoptable kittens will curl up in your lap and purr your blues away.

🌸 Denver Botanic Gardens is an urban oasis in and of itself, but it's also home to various health and wellness programs ranging from yoga and birdwatching to tea ceremonies and spa days.

⛪ St. John's Cathedral offers a sense of serenity with its stunning stained glass windows, grand Gothic Revival architecture and quiet atmosphere.

🥾 Red Rocks Amphitheatre may be known for its loud concerts, but it also offers quiet yoga sessions and hiking trails with panoramic views of the city.

🌳 One of Denver's many green spaces, like Cheesman, City or Sloan's Lake parks — can provide a peaceful retreat from the urban hustle with plenty of paths and picnic areas.

What they're saying: "I find a sense of calm walking around Washington Park near sunset, sometimes with ice cream from Bonnie Brae in hand, and at Confluence Park by the water, sometimes with a new item from REI or a Starbucks Matcha!" Axios Denver reader Jenny S. writes.