8 Activities to Do in the New York Area for Burnout Relief
Okay, so your burnout has taken a turn and despite your attempts to get back to feeling like yourself, nothing seems to be working – not the seven hours of sleep you’ve been getting, the many, many cups of chamomile tea you’ve been drinking, or your decisions to stay home in your “depression room” instead of going out with friends, family, and other loved ones. Well, that’s because your attempts to resolve your burnout are actually making it worse. Research shows that women need upwards of nine hours of sleep each night and that the average seven hours is simply not enough. Tea also isn’t an effective treatment to address severe burnout. (Think: putting a band-aid on a gushing wound – it’s not going to hold). Most importantly, the worst way to resolve your burnout is to disconnect from loved ones and your surroundings. Using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Self-Soothing Skills may help you reduce your burnout symptoms and give you the relief you’ve been looking for.
Benefits of self-soothing
Self-soothing is a type of crisis survival skill that can help you tolerate deeply uncomfortable experiences, urges, and emotions without making them worse. It utilizes the body’s senses (e.g., sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound) to invite comforting and nurturing experiences to balance out stress. It can also help prevent poor or rash decision-making (e.g., going ‘retail therapy’ shopping despite knowing that your credit card debt is fueling your burnout). Although crises typically last for short periods (i.e. a few hours to a few days), I like to use self-soothing skills as a first-line, short-term intervention for burnout, especially when your go-to coping skills are exacerbating your symptoms. As a burnout therapist based in New York, combining self-soothing skills with fun activities and experiences in the New York area could help boost your mood while giving you some short-term relief.
Here are eight activities in the New York area that'll move you closer to your favorite version of yourself using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Self-Soothing skills.
Take a stroll in Central Park (Sight):
Central Park offers a variety of unique (and most importantly free or low-cost) experiences that can help you reconnect to the present moment, especially if you’ve been living in your head (a.k.a. ruminating). Take a leisurely stroll through 2.5 miles of winding paths, rent a bike, visit the Central Park Zoo, or find a quiet spot by the lake, and just breathe. Whether you're into people-watching, bird-watching, or simply soaking up some Vitamin D, Central Park has got you covered.
Visit Olfactory NYC (Smell):
Research shows that scents can alter our emotions and moods (more than any other sensory experience) due to integral connections between memory and emotion processing centers in the brain. So, ignite your olfactory sense at Olfactory NYC. With locations in Williamsburg, Nolita, and the West Village, you can create your own custom perfume scent with the help of ‘scentologists’ or shop their signature collections. If you would like to boost your mood, research shows the jasmine, citrus, sandalwood, and bergamot scents are great at “hacking” the brain to give you those euphoric feelings.
Virtual yoga at HealHaus (Touch):
HealHaus is an inclusive wellness platform that believes in diverse healing practices and modalities. While they are currently expanding their brick-and-mortar location, they currently offer virtual yoga classes, meditation, and sound healing sessions. Don't worry if you're a newbie – all levels are welcome, and it's the perfect opportunity to rejuvenate both body and mind. Drop in as a guest or join as a member to get unlimited access to their online classes, seven days a week.
Enjoy Bryant Park Picnic Performances (Sound):
Pack a basket full of goodies, grab a blanket, and head over to Bryant Park for their summer concert series. Enjoy contemporary, jazz, indie, and rock performances in the heart of Midtown, Manhattan. If live music isn’t your jam (pun intended), they also offer free dance and theater performances for your viewing pleasure.
Have a spa day in Williamsburg (Touch):
Treat yourself to a day of pampering in one of Williamsburg’s luxurious spas. From rejuvenating massages to detoxifying facials, indulge in some much-needed self-care and emerge feeling like a million bucks. Bonus points if you can snag a spot in a rooftop hot tub – because nothing says relaxation like soaking in bubbly bliss with a skyline backdrop.
Listen to the sounds of the Hudson at Little Island (Sound):
Take a break from the chaos of city life and immerse yourself in a lush garden hovering over the Hudson River in Chelsea. Little Island offers scenic views off of Pier 55 as well as free concerts, comedy shows, and food vendors.
Go on a Midtown Manhattan coffee crawl (Taste):
Channel your inner coffee connoisseur and embark on a caffeine-fueled adventure in Midtown. From cozy cafes, trendy roasteries, and modern takes on old classics, explore the diverse coffee scene and sample a variety of brews. Whether you prefer a classic cappuccino or a bold cold brew, you'll find your perfect pick-me-up in this caffeine haven. 787 Coffee, Seven Grams Caffé, and Variety Coffee Roasters are some of my favorites.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden retreat (Sight):
Step into a tranquil oasis of beauty and serenity at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Lose yourself in a sea of vibrant flowers, lush greenery, and winding pathways as you wander through this urban paradise. Take a moment to stop and smell the roses – literally – and let nature work its magic on your weary soul.
Finding peaceful moments for burnout relief in NYC
Whether you're in need of a moment of zen or a dose of caffeine-fueled excitement, there are so many ways to use the self-soothing skill in the Big Apple. So go ahead, take a break, and give yourself the self-care you need. After all, a happy New Yorker is a better New Yorker. While self-soothing can provide quick stress relief, the effects are temporary and do not replace getting to the root of your burnout (e.g., people-pleasing, poor work-life balance, parental stress, relationship difficulties, etc). If you live in New York State and are ready to address your burnout, or are unsure about how to get started, contact me today. I’d love to help.
Get started with a burnout therapist in New York, NY
Are you struggling with burnout and finding that your usual attempts at relief just aren’t working? It may be time to try something different. Dive into these eight soothing activities in the New York area designed to help you reconnect with yourself and find short-term relief through Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Self-Soothing skills. If you live in New York State and are ready to tackle burnout head-on or need guidance on where to begin, follow the few steps below.
Reach out now and take the first step towards reclaiming your well-being.
Create a plan that's specifically for your burnout needs and works just for you in burnout therapy.
Find relief from burnout symptoms while taking care of yourself.
Other Services I Offer Online Anywhere in New York
Life brings many unique challenges, and I am here to support you every step of the way. In addition to burnout therapy, Lavender Therapy offers specialized services to help you navigate through different phases and experiences. Anywhere in New York, I offer therapy for postpartum and pregnancy concerns, therapy for women, and family planning therapy.
About The Author:
Dr. Ruby Rhoden is a New York-based Licensed Psychologist who is dedicated to uplifting women through life changes and challenges, including reproduction. She understands how unhelpful behavior patterns and mental health disorders uniquely impact women and uses evidence-based techniques to usher in sustainable change and relief. With a focus on helping clients reconnect with themselves and find effective self-care strategies, Dr. Ruby provides personalized therapy to address the root causes of burnout. Dr. Ruby is also dedicated to helping women develop healthier habits and relationships with themselves and their bodies so that they can connect to others and the world around them again. Dr. Ruby studied at Cornell University and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey for her Bachelor's and Doctoral degrees, respectively. In her free time, she enjoys watching reality TV, supporting small businesses, and writing blog posts to remind all women that they are not alone.
