Whether you’re just starting college, or are a returning student trying to incorporate more stress-relief into your academic life, finding activities that truly reduce stress levels is an important mental health practice. The college lifestyle is demanding both physically and mentally no matter what, and excess stress can make it harder to balance school, work, and the social pressures of being in college. We’ve done our research and found six activities ranging in time commitments and price near Columbia University that may lend a hand on your stress management journey.
Picnic at The Pool
The Pool, a beautiful pond located in the northwest corner of Central Park, is an amazing place to find your zen. Right off 103rd Street, it’s located in a quiet section of the park where there is always plenty of room to lay out a blanket and spend a few hours basking in the outdoors. With its beautiful scenery and wildlife population (e.g. so many birds and turtles), you won’t even be able to tell you’re in the heart of New York City. Don’t want to pack food before you go? With grocery stores such as Central Market and Whole Foods located blocks away, and cafes like Demitasse and Cafe Amrita right nearby, you’ve got plenty of options to pick from. Swing by, grab a coffee or some of your favorite snacks, and enjoy some time admiring the beautiful scenery.
Not a picnic person? No problem. Grab the book you’ve been meaning to read, your yoga mat, a camera, or just some sunglasses for a nice afternoon of sunbathing. You might even get lucky and have a front row seat to some amazing people watching. No matter what, being outdoors is a great way to regulate your nervous system and find true relaxation.
Walk the Greenway Trail
Located along the Hudson River, the Greenway Trail is a paved bike and walking path that spans the west side of New York City, crossing right by Columbia’s campus. It’s the perfect place to take a relaxing walk and look at the New York City views. With miles of trail to explore, you can wander for as short or as long as you’d like. If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can even grab a City Bike before your journey. No matter how you use the path, getting outside and utilizing movement is a fantastic way to focus your thoughts, and has proved incredibly beneficial for reducing stress and helping us cope through hard days.
Take a Free Yoga Class
One of the greatest aspects of New York City is its abundance of opportunities, especially for free activities. The area surrounding Columbia is chock full of free yoga opportunities for both teens and adults. Whether you’d like to take on a challenging class to build muscle, or simply want to breeze through a yoga session for relaxation and breath work purposes, this activity is an amazing way to manage excess stress. It utilizes powerful mindfulness techniques to get you out of your head and into a relaxation zone.
- The West Side Rag recently released a great article detailing yoga opportunities for all price ranges. We’ve summarized a few options below:
- West End Collegiate Church on 77th street hosts a free class for all levels on Wednesday nights at 6:30pm. Mats are available if you don’t already own one.
- Broadway TaeKwonDo Martial Arts between 105th street and 106th street hosts classes funded by donations. The pay-what-you-can classes are held Wednesdays and Sundays, with mats available if needed.
- The New York Public Library has joined forces with Shape Up NYC to offer classes at the Morningside Library Location. Classes are held on Thursdays and registration is required. Mats are not provided.
With so many options available, why not try it out? Pick a spot, make sure you confirm the class is running, and take a step forward on your stress management adventure.
Spend an Afternoon at Little Shop of Crafts
Utilizing your creativity can be a great stress reliever. Looking for somewhere to tap into that creativity without having to purchase a bunch of different supplies? Little Shop of Crafts on the corner of Amsterdam and 94th street offers paint and sip classes, as well as soap making, in addition to having a wide range of crafts available for walk-in customers. Whether you want to paint pottery, draw, create beautiful mosaics, or do woodcrafting, they’ve got you covered. Grab a friend, or head on down by yourself for some amazing alone time, and spend a few hours diving into the world of art.
Volunteer
Stepping out of our own circles for a few hours and spending our time helping others is an underrated selfcare activity. It can be easy to get caught up in and overwhelmed by our own challenges, but spending a few hours in someone else’s shoes is a great way to reset and de-stress, and help the community at the same time.
The Columbia University surrounding area is full of volunteer opportunities with a variety of different populations. Check out a few opportunities listed below:
- Want to work with the elderly? DOROT, an organization founded by Columbia students, connects volunteers with elderly community members. They have a range of different volunteer opportunities ranging from visiting older adults to helping out with events. Learn more about getting involved on their website.
- Want to volunteer in a hospital? Irving Medical Center is taking volunteer applications for multiple different programs within the hospital. Volunteer jobs range from helping in the emergency department to spending time with patients during meal times. Learn more on their website.
- Want to help the community food bank? Food Bank for New York City is always looking for volunteers to help with pantry distribution, serving meals, and more. Check out their website to see all the opportunities available and learn how to get involved.
Overall, being in school can be an incredibly stressful time. Whether you’re an undergraduate student, pursuing a masters or doctoral degree, or are taking a few classes throughout the year, school stress can be difficult to manage. These activities are a great opportunity to try new ways to re-regulate so you are ready and energized to take on any responsibilities that come your way.
Want to learn more about stress management? Our incredible therapists here at Manhattan Wellness are ready to start that journey with you. We understand that learning to balance responsibilities with selfcare can be intimidating. With our amazing group of therapists, you don’t have to navigate the process all on your own. A dedicated team working out of Manhattan, Brooklyn, or anywhere in New York, our clinicians are ready to help you start a journey of empowerment and self discovery. Follow these steps to get started:
- Contact Manhattan Wellness today or email us at hello@manhattanwellness.org
- Schedule your first appointment with one of our Manhattan therapists
- Embark on this empowering path to a more confident you
THERAPY SERVICES FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS WE OFFER IN MANHATTAN & BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
Taking care of yourself physically and emotionally will enhance your ability to cope with academic demands and personal challenges. While college has so much to offer, it can feel overwhelming and exhausting, often leading to feelings of burnout. Setting aside time for you, including finding time to rest and rejuvenate is essential in adjusting to this transition.
At Manhattan Wellness, we understand that the transition to college is an exciting time filled with so much opportunity. But, we also know that with change comes a lot of uncertainty, which can be intimidating and stressful. We are here to support you in finding your path and feeling confident as you take on this new chapter. Follow these steps:
- Submit a Contact Form or Email Us at hello@manhattanwellness.org
- Learn More About Our Team of Therapists for College Students and Our Therapy Specialists
- Get Support As You Find Your Path in College!
OTHER THERAPY SERVICES OFFERED IN MANHATTAN, BROOKLYN, & THROUGHOUT NEW YORK
At Manhattan Wellness, our therapists are here to support you in navigating every aspect of life. This is why we offer a variety of services to ensure you get the support, care, and guidance necessary. The therapy services we offer are Therapy for Maternal Mental Health, Self-Esteem Counseling, and Anxiety Treatment. Along with Dating/Relationship Counseling, Counseling for College Students, and more.
