#nycselfcare

A well-known and renowned wellness center in New York is none other than Sidhayur. At our Ayurvedic health and wellness centre we provide therapies and treatments for all various health issues.

After an insane day in the city, amongst a sea of honking cars, people yelling at each other in every language, and schoolwork, stress can creep up on you quickly and unexpectedly! But, is there really a place where you can beat the snot out of that stress?

Surprisingly, there is! At least, virtually. I LOVE to play video games, and I typically gather a couple of my nerdy friends to take out life's stresses on them in a flurry of button-mashing. While I am very fortunate to have friends who own consoles, I also like to take a trip down to the NYU Game Center in Tisch Hall every so often to get my game on!

These guys have just about every game under the sun, and they're constantly ordering more based on feedback from the NYU gamers themselves! In the event that you DO have a console, you can actually take a small trip down to Nintendo World, or one of the various Gamestop locations littered around NYC! Losing stress via punching virtual enemies in the face is certainly an experience of its own once you explore the various options NYU and NYC has to offer!

Living in the hustle and bustle of New York City can be draining.  It's tiring when you're expected to be the best you can be every single day.

And so, when I feel drained, I pray.  I pray while walking to class, before a test, when a friend needs help or encouragement, strolling through the park, etc.  Basically, any place and any time is a good time to pray, to help me stay centered on my God who brings me peace and focus and purpose.  I tried to be consistent in attending 8am prayer meetings every Tuesday (though, to be honest, it was difficult getting out of bed in time!) to help get the day started on the right foot.

Other times, I felt the need to release the emotions in my heart.  As an emotional person, I wanted to think of new, creative ways to express myself, despite my lack of artistic ability.  And so now, whenever there is too much going on in my mind or heart, I write it out, draw, sing, play guitar, blog, make lists, worship, etc. Anything and everything to get [whatever it is] out of my system and into something tangible, where I can look at it and say, "This is where I am right now.  So where am I going to go from here?"

Living in New York City can be exhausting and you might feel yourself stretched thin after a few months.  But know yourself, and find ways to be re-inspired, to be rejuvenated.  And if you don't know how, talk to a friend.  Maybe they'll have some good ideas for you, or maybe a listening ear is all that you needed in the first place.

-Yenmin, OL

While I love nothing few things more than grabbing froyo on a dreary day or doing a workout to shake off the blues, it seems as though many OL's have already communicated the importance of good eats or a healthy burn.

One thing that I've found to genuinely help me on those tough days in the city is simply talking to my friends about my frustrations. I've had the great fortune to have a number of amazing pals at NYU who, upon a simple text that reads "can I talk to you" come rushing to my side. Sometimes it doesn't even take a heartfelt talk. I've sat in my hallway watching New Girl in silence and have still felt friendship's curative power. So yes, as cheesy as it sounds, find someone to vent to who will help you regain that positive and ambitious attitude that got you in to NYU.

Another great way to de-stress it to simply get out of the city! Whether that means taking a day trip to Brooklyn, heading all the way to Rockefeller State Park, or simply hiding out in Central Park, just do it! You'll be surprised at how refreshing an hour or two out of the hustle and bustle can be!

During your first few weeks at NYU, you are going to be getting used to life at college, especially in the city. Make sure you take the time to take care of yourself!

One of the best ways I unwind is by watching my favorite shows! I sit on my bed and load up Netflix and watch a few, such as The Big Bang Theory or Parks and Rec to get a good laugh. 

Other good things to try are taking naps, or just finding personal comfort in something. If you are really feeling the pressure, try getting away from the situation (literally) and hop on a subway to go uptown to see a show, or find a great restaurant to try with some friends.

Whatever it is, make sure to find the time to do things you enjoy, or try new things. You'll notice it will make your time here more enjoyable!

- Kevin, OL

I'll be the first to admit that between classes, assignments, school activities, friends, and the city itself, life as a college student can get overwhelming at times. One of the most important things to remember is to always take care of yourself, first and foremost. Whether this means working out, taking naps, or doing something you love, you should always put aside time to relax and take your minds off of things!

One of my favorite things to do when I need to de-stress is visiting the puppy store! I've always had a love for animals, especially dogs, and whenever I see a puppy my heart absolutely melts. I love going to the store because I'm able to play with the puppies and as a result feel less stressed. 

Another thing that I love to do to take care of myself is exploring the areas surrounding NYU! It's really relaxing to just go for a walk and see the city at the same time. One of my favorite places to explore is Chelsea because of its gorgeous buildings and cute shops & restaurants! 

We all have our limits, and sometimes balancing academics, extracurriculars, a job, or an internship (or anything else you may be pursuing) can bring a lot of stress. Added to this is the fact that you're new to college and to the city. It's important to know when to relax and unwind so that you won't overwork yourself.

Whenever I feel like I'm stressed or need to release my emotions, I often do the following.

1. Sit in Washington Square Park or any quiet spot and reflect on positive and uplifting experiences and aspects of my life.

2. Sing at the top of my lungs!

3. And sometimes, especially when I know I accomplished a lot, I reward myself. Simple things are fine: an extra large meal at Chipotle, or if did something big, even a ticket to a Broadway show!

4. And sometimes, it's good to have some alone time even if friends are going out. I sometimes (not too often though!) enjoy sitting in bed all weekend with Netflix and snacks and resting after a hectic week.

During my most stressed times, I find that kid activities can be really relaxing as study breaks! 

I keep a few coloring books in my dorm at all time. 

I watch cartoons and sing along. 

I play twister.

And my personal favorite, I build forts and watch movies with my friends.

Just because you live in the Big City, doesn't mean you have to act like a big kid 24/7. Letting your inner child out every once in a while can be just what you need to get through the rough patches of freshmen year!