The lights, busyness, and chaos of big cities is alluring to many, but it can cause an intense mental and physical drain. In fact, city dwellers are significantly more likely to have anxiety and mood disorders than their rural counterparts. That’s why we’ve created a list of wellness tips that’s tailor-made for urbanites. Here’s what it includes:
- Schedule regular day trips out of the city and into nature
- Establish a regular exercise routine (bonus points if it’s outdoors!)
- Explore your city
- Practice a peaceful night routine
In the rest of this article, we’ll explain each in more detail, along with advice for making them work with your own unique schedule and lifestyle. So, let’s get started!
4 Tips To Add More City Wellness To Your Busy Life
Schedule regular day trips out of the city
Even if you love the hustle and bustle of city life, it’s important to mix up your routine once in a while and get out in nature. Studies have shown that being near nature and greenery helps significantly reduce stress, so soak in those good vibes! Depending on your schedule and transportation situation, see if you can plan a weekly or monthly day trip to your favorite nearby natural spot.
Establish an exercise routine
Exercising regularly helps improve mental health and encourages you to ground into your body. Work on establishing a regular, enjoyable workout routine that gets you moving at least three days per week. Anything from weightlifting to Zumba, ballet class to kickboxing, is fair game. And, you’ll get bonus wellness points if part or all of your workout is outdoors!
Explore your city
Reminding yourself why you moved to your city in the first place can go a long way to increasing your sense of well-being. Make a routine of visiting a new (or old favorite!) restaurant, museum, cafe, or shop at least once per week. You could also hop on the bus or train and take yourself on a walking tour through a neighborhood or shopping district you rarely visit.
On these adventures, don’t feel pressure to find someone to go with you! Although you could have a blast with a friend or significant other, solo journeys can be just as fulfilling and offer some much-needed time to process your own thoughts.
Practice a peaceful night routine
Creating a cozy, peaceful nightly routine can make your home feel like a haven and give you something to look forward to at the end of each day. Try adding extra blankets, pillows, and decor to your bedroom, burning candles or incense, enjoying a hot beverage, or meditating. In addition to being enjoyable, these practices can also help improve your sleep by signaling to your brain that it’s time to rest.
This list was just a start, but we hope that it helps you brainstorm even more ideas for incorporating more wellness into your urban everyday life. Even the smallest change can make a huge difference in your mental health and wellness. You’re worth it