Image Source: Pexels
New York City is an incredible place to live, but it isn’t always easy to get by around here. This city is full of challenges, stress, and even a bit of danger. At times, the city can feel totally overwhelming. Whether you’ve lived here all your life or have just arrived, you’ll need some strategies to survive this crazy place.
And that’s where we come in. Below, we’ll lay out your best bets for making it in the Big Apple (don’t call it that). Here’s what you need to know and do to survive in the capital of the world.
1. Invest in your sleep space
New York City may be the city that never sleeps, but if you become the person who never sleeps, you’re going to be miserable and unhealthy. Unfortunately, the busy and loud city can be a real problem when bedtime arrives. That’s why savvy New Yorkers invest in their sleeping spaces and routines.
By this, we mean that you should consider getting a white noise machine or earplugs, a sleep mask or blackout curtains, and anything else that you might need in order to get a great night’s sleep. Try to go to sleep at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning, and avoid caffeine, alcohol, and other drugs before bed – they can mess up your sleep.
2. Get the grid
Getting around New York City can be surprisingly easy, as long as you know how the streets work. Manhattan’s grid structure can be a huge help, so memorize the order of the avenues and learn a bit about how Broadways cuts across. It may help to figure out how streets and avenues work in Queens (hint: It’s the opposite of Manhattan) and in Brooklyn, too.
In your own neighborhood, you can learn the streets by walking around. In fact, walking is a great way to get around New York City in general. Our city is incredibly walkable, and it’s healthy to opt for a stroll instead of hopping on the subway or hailing a cab.
Still having trouble? Use a maps app, the MTA’s subway app, and other helpful mobile devices to sneak a peek at the layout while you’re trying to get around. Better yet, take some time to study these maps before you head out so that you can move confidently and quickly.
3. Care for your mental health
New York City offers some great things to improve your mood: big parks, awesome live shows, and wonderful museums, to name just a few. But a lot of the other things that New York City brings to the table are terrible for your mental health. When you’re rushing through crowds or working too hard in New York City’s competitive professional world, you could be wearing on your nerves and damaging your mental health.
That’s why it’s particularly important for New Yorkers to be proactive about their mental health, explain experts in NYC cognitive therapy. Keep a close eye on your work-life balance, and don’t fall into the “work hard, play hard” lifestyle that wears out so many New Yorkers physically and mentally. Use local parks to get in touch with nature, fight for your sleep habits, and consider therapy.
That last one is important: Cognitive behavioral therapy offers incredible tools for better understanding our thoughts and behaviors. It can help you stay calm, reduce stress, and be a better professional, friend, and family member. You don’t need to have a mental health issue to seek therapy. If you’re living in this busy city, then that’s probably reason enough to see a mental health expert.
About The Author:
James North is a young entrepreneur, who has accomplished a great feat in the world of marketing and advertising. He is the husband of an accomplished writer and the father of two young adults. He has been contributing to a digital platform for quite some time now. He loves to share his innovative ideas and thoughts so that readers could be benefited. He loves playing cricket in his leisure time.
