As the holiday season begins, the streets of New York City take on new life each year. Tourists flood in the thousands to see the lights, marvel at the window displays, and take their photo under the Rockefeller tree.
If you’re one of the many New York residents adjusting to the influx of visitors, or a tourist feeling anxious to plan their visit, don’t fret. There’s plenty you can do to prepare for the hustle and bustle of this year’s NYC holiday season. From professional help to early planning, here are just a few tips to keep your mental health in check this holiday season.
End the stigma
The crowded gatherings and overwhelming planning of the holidays are enough to send even the most organized person into a tailspin. If you’re feeling swamped with shopping, hosting, or even daily commitments being altered by holiday influx, take time to find help.
Living in New York is a lifestyle filled with constant movement, sensory intake, and commotion. When you add in the tourist attractions and shopping opportunities of the holiday season, those elements escalate substantially. Just getting yourself to work every day can take twice the time with the new crowds of holiday shoppers and décor gawkers, adding stress to your daily commute. Attending therapy can equip you with tools to cope with these changes and keep the stress at bay.
Don’t just survive, thrive!
The therapists at the Therapy Group of NYC know that living in The Big Apple is a world of its own. Whether you struggle professionally, personally, or just seasonally, their unique process can help you to get things back on track. You’re sure to find the best possible solutions to dealing with the holiday hoopla with the help of one of their licensed therapists and their data-driven technology. While most therapy involves one-on-one conversing, the group believes in individualized methods tailored to your individual circumstances to take you from “normal” to thriving.
Anxiety disorders are often triggered by change and increased sensory intake. If you experience anxiety at any level, the holiday streets of NYC are sure to involve these stressors. Attending therapy on a regular basis can offer tools to implement in moments of overwhelming stimulation. Being prepared for possible triggers is key to keeping your mental health in check. If you’re ready to take advantage of this invaluable resource, head to nyctherapy.com and get started on your journey to greatness.
Be prepared
Having tools as an NYC resident is important, but there are also things to consider for the tourists. If this is your first time visiting the city for the holidays or it’s been a while since your last visit, you may be feeling uneasy. Before you head to the bus station or hop on that train, make sure you’re prepared. Winter in the city is unpredictable, so the first step is to dress smart. Having layers of various clothing from the top of your head to extra socks on your feet is ideal for warmth.
If you’re planning on sightseeing, create an account to both save and share photos online privately with your family and friends. This can be done through your personal cloud to ensure your precious moments are only shared with those who you want. Keep in mind that you’re amongst thousands of others looking to celebrate the magic of the holidays, so be courteous of those around you and aware of your surroundings. Most importantly, keep in mind that this is a time of year for joy and giving. Keep your focus on the beauty of the city, the glory of the holidays, and soak up every bit that NYC has to offer.