New York City is a city like no other. It is by far the largest city in the United States, and it is the best place in the nation for everything from finance to pizza.
But New York City is also a very stressful environment. Urban life has been proven to have unique stresses and mental health strains, and New York City is certainly no exception to that rule. Here in New York City, we dodge reckless cabs on our way to crowded public transit options. We work long hours and have notoriously terrible work-life balance. We have to wait in line for our favorite pizza slice when we’re hungry, and when we’re sad, we have to cry in front of other people because other people are everywhere.
It’s tough to get by in New York City, but what can you do about it? There are lots of ways to try to manage stress, but understanding what’s really going on in New York City — and all around the country — will help you see more powerful solutions.
It’s not just stress
New York City is a hotbed of stress and emotion, but New Yorkers don’t just suffer from excessive amounts of stress. Like Americans all over the nation, New Yorkers also deal with common mental illnesses and mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
Anxiety disorders, which can be triggered by stress, are the most common type of mental illness in the United States. Depression is surprisingly common, as well, and so are many other disorders — including plenty that are difficult, if not impossible, to self-diagnose. It is very possible that you are suffering from a mental health issue right now and don’t realize it.
That’s part of the reason why your stress isn’t something you can cure with a calendar app or a to-do list. This goes beyond organizational techniques and a good night’s sleep (though you should strive to be organized and get proper sleep). New Yorkers should consider real mental health solutions to their very real mental health issues. In other words, New Yorkers should consider therapy.
Getting therapy in New York City
When you’ve got New York City stress, you need an NYC therapist. Talk therapy is among the most powerful treatments for mental health, and getting started with therapy can change your life in a place like New York City.
Your health insurance provider can help you learn what, if anything, you need to do in order to get talk therapy covered. Find a therapist in your network who can take you on as a client, and then make appointments that you can keep. Remember, too, that the services of out-of-network therapists are often covered by insurance. Ask your insurance company to explain that to you as well, since they likely won’t volunteer that information. Visit your therapist regularly — most therapists consider weekly visits to be a good minimum — and start caring for your mental health.
You’ll start to notice a real difference in your life. Therapy is proven to have tangible benefits. It can do everything from reducing physical symptoms, as mental and physical health are connected, to help you get more organized and more productive. Therapy’s benefits are real, and they are lasting.
With therapy, New Yorkers can manage their entire mental health in a way that no organizational technique could ever do. When you address the whole of your mental health with the same care and diligence that you use when you consider your physical health, you’ll see that mental health is just as important as being free of physical disease or staying in good physical shape. You’ll improve your moods and your daily life, and you’ll be better equipped to deal with this big, busy city of ours.
