Stress-Free in the City: An NYC Therapist’s Guide to Mental Well-Being

New York City is simultaneously one of the most fast-paced, exciting, and overwhelming places to live. This can put a lot of pressure on day-to-day life and make it difficult to handle all of the stress. So, we thought we’d ask an expert in dealing with stress (i.e., a therapist). In this blog post, an NYC therapist explains how she sets up her week to decrease stress and stay grounded amidst the chaotic energy of NYC. 

As Boring as it May Sound, Scheduling Helps

One of the most stressful aspects about living in NYC can be the competing demands on your time. NYC has so much to offer that sometimes it feels like there isn’t enough time in the day to do everything. Balancing yourself, your work, and life in the City is a juggling act. Something that helps me feel sane and makes me feel like I’m effectively using my time is scheduling. On Sundays I build out my schedule for the week, which helps ease my Sunday Scaries by making me feel prepared for the week ahead. Forbes explains that having a weekly planning session to schedule your week can help reduce stress and anxiety. 

The Power of Exercise

We’ve all heard it a million times—exercise is good for your mental health. But sometimes it can be really hard to fit a workout into your schedule when your job is demanding or you want to go out with friends after work. The last thing that most people want to do is work out after a long day at the office. But, as Women’s Health explains, exercise has consistently been linked to improved mental health outcomes. While working out on its own is not a magic pill for fighting mental health issues, it is a powerful tool to help deal with stress. The key here is to find what type of exercise you actually enjoy so it doesn’t feel like a chore. NYC is the capital of workout classes, with trendy new fitness studios popping up on every corner. You can also opt for an at-home workout. A consistent 20- or 30-minute workout is much more conducive to a busy, stressful work schedule. You are also more likely to stick to a routine by making exercise more bite-sized, rather than overcommitting to an hour-long workout.

Make Time for Friends

NYC is one of the best places to feel surrounded by people and yet, somehow, also feel lonely. It’s both comforting and isolating to walk the City’s streets with millions of mostly strangers rushing past. I’ve found that the best way to help myself have a great week and lower my stress is to guarantee at least one social connection. I prioritize scheduling one walk, coffee date, happy hour, or dinner with someone close to me. This feeling of connection grounds me throughout the week and gives me something to look forward to when I’m having stressful moments. Mayo Clinic describes the value of friendship on mental health as something that can increase your sense of belonging and purpose, boost happiness, and reduce stress. 

Conclusion

There’s no secret recipe to dealing with the uniquely stressful experience of living in NYC. It’s about finding what works for you, but this therapist suggests spending time on Sundays to plan the week ahead to make you feel prepared and productive, finding an exercise routine that you actually enjoy, and making sure you carve out time each week to connect with friends and loved ones. These small but meaningful weekly practices can significantly decrease your stress and help you feel like you’re getting the most out of life in NYC. 

References

Friendships: Enrich your life and improve your health. (2022, January 12). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/friendships/art-20044860 

Mateo, A. (2024, January 13). How to use exercise as part of your mental health toolbox safely and effectively. Women’s Health. https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a46204189/exercise-mental-health-therapy/ 

Soria, M. (2023, June 1). Why you should always plan your week ahead. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2023/05/31/why-you-should-always-plan-your-week-ahead/?sh=21fe1cdb5f13