5 Tips for Staying Calm: A Guide for New Yorkers

New York City. The Big Apple. The City That Never Sleeps. But even though the city never sleeps, that doesn’t mean you don’t have to. Being a New Yorker seems totally glamorous from the outside with the shopping and the lights and the skyscrapers lining the sky. But once you’re inside, it can be easy to feel anxious and overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the city itself. You constantly feel the pressure to be achieving and involved and participating in every aspect of life New York has to offer. It can be hard to find the time or place to just stay calm. Finding peace and quiet in NYC may be a pipe dream, but there are still great ways to find that sense of calm. Whether it be in your apartment, chatting with a friend, or at a designated happy place in the city, you have the power to create your haven.

Go to therapy.

Everyone has struggles. Everyone can feel overwhelmed at times and just bogged down with the weight of life especially in a time of immense social pressure. Lingering feelings of hopelessness or worry may be signs that its time for mental health care from a professional psychotherapist. A big city has a huge array of therapists so finding a therapist in NYC may take consultations to decide if a psychologist, psychiatrist, or therapist is right for you. In your sessions, you’ll be able to talk through your behavior and mental health concerns while getting further coping mechanisms to find your sense of peace within your mind and your space. Once you find the right therapist, keep in regular touch with them to help ease your mind about living in the busy, overwhelming city that is New York.

Give your apartment some life, literally.

New York apartments are notorious for feeling small and cramped. Your home is supposed to be a safe haven, not an added anxiety. So see what you can do to bring life and light to your apartment. One simple way to do this is through plants. Indoor plants like succulents have the power to improve your health, not only by livening up your space but also by cleaning your air. With new technology from www.hydroblossom.co you can grow a small garden right in your home. This way, you can grow plants without soil, but with mineral nutrients within water solutions. So start your own hydroponic garden today to get different plants in your home and create good growing conditions for your indoor garden and your sense of calm.

Find a place to let off steam.

Anxiety can build up for many different reasons, but exercising and releasing endorphins is a great way to relieve stress. Find a place in the city to let off a little steam. And since its New York City, there are bound to be tons of options. Trampoline, Switch, Pilates, Yoga, Tai Chi, Cyclebar, Surfing, Pole Dancing, Bollywood Dance. These are just a few of the unique classes you can find in the city. So find your specialty and release those endorphins.

Plan your commute.

One of the most stressful parts of NYC is the unpredictability of commuting within the city. The subway doesn’t run on a consistent schedule, and it can take a long time to get from one side of town to the other. To feel calmer, plan your daily commutes with lots of extra time and backup plans. Deal with the potential problem head-on rather than waiting for disaster to strike.

Designate a relaxation spot.

Despite being a city of skyscrapers, there are peaceful, calm places in New York City. Think Central Park, or a local coffee shop, or the High Line. Find a place that makes you feel relaxed and at peace. That way, even with the city bustling around you, you can still feel centered.