Therapy for Stress and Anxiety: Managing the New York City Lifestyle
Therapy for Stress and Anxiety: Managing the New York City Lifestyle
Written by Lily Thrope
Living in New York City can be exciting, but the fast-paced lifestyle can also bring increased stress and anxiety for many residents. From busy, noisy streets to crammed subways and endless to-do lists, the constant stimulation of the city that never sleeps can take its toll. According to the American Psychological Association, 87% of New Yorkers say that stress has a strong impact on their personal health. It's true that even the most resilient New Yorkers can find themselves overwhelmed in this environment at times. Consider the following when managing the bustling New York City lifestyle:
New Yorkers are often busy balancing work, school, daily tasks, social life, and so on. Mindfulness-based therapies can be very helpful in terms of reducing city overstimulation. Exercises like meditation allow us to pause and take a moment out of our busy lives to ground ourselves in our thoughts. There are many different types of meditation practices, from body scans to walking meditations. You can follow your own meditation, or watch a guided meditation video. You can also try a breathing exercise, like belly breathing or box breathing. Taking deep, intentional breaths can signal the brain to rest and relax. Taking a moment to settle and be present can be incredibly helpful to your body and mind.
While New York City may be the ‘city that never sleeps,’ it is very important that you get sufficient rest and relaxation. Sleep helps reset the body and allows us to function better in our daily lives. If the deafening and relentless honking of NYC bothers you at night, it can be beneficial to use ear plugs or white noise machines. Investing in black-out curtains or a sleep mask that covers your eyes are other methods of avoiding light pollution outside your window.
If stress and anxiety from your New York City lifestyle is negatively impacting your life, speaking with a therapist can help. A trained therapist can support you in learning coping techniques tailored to manage common NYC stressors. Having a space to work through what these stressors are like and why they might be taking a toll on you can be incredibly beneficial in lessening that impact. Some therapies for stress may incorporate mindfulness-based techniques which are proven to decrease stress and anxiety. It takes courage to decide to try therapy, but it also pays off by enhancing your ability to healthily manage this one-of-a-kind city.
New York City is one of the most stimulating, accessible and exciting cities in the country. With so many activities to choose from, it can be overwhelming and anxiety-inducing. Learning coping strategies can help you to feel more grounded and present. There are many empowering things you can do to thrive in your NYC lifestyle, instead of just surviving it one harried day to the next. The resources are out there—take the first step in researching the best therapeutic options for you.
Right now at Thrope Therapy we offer both in-person and virtual sessions.
