It’s Saturday morning, a free day stretching ahead of you. You sit with your coffee, with the intention to relax, but you can’t seem to stay still. You just finished a major deadline, working every minute to complete it. Now, with your first free day of freedom, you can’t figure out what to do. You find yourself checking emails constantly, subconsciously searching for updates or issues to fix.
Does this sound familiar to you? In fast-paced environments like New York City, stress can be so easily normalized that people have forgotten what to do when a free moment arises. Whether you partake in hustle culture or take on extra tasks to avoid negative thoughts, your relationship with rest and relaxation has become skewed. Truth is simple, but hard to accept: You deserve rest. Everyone does. Rest is not a reward for productivity; it is essential for taking care of your mental health and avoiding burnout.
Call the Guilt Out
When you feel the guilt start to set in from resting, realize the guilt is not an indicator that you didn’t work hard enough. The mindset of guilt is a way to place value of work over your own well-being. Your body may feel as if it is shutting down. That’s not laziness, that’s your body’s way of telling you that you need to rest. Labeling the guilt is a useful way to combat the feelings. Reframe your thoughts. “I’m not wasting time; my body needs this. I need this.”
Limit Social Media Comparisons
Social media has a way of documenting people’s highs and only their highs. Seeing people working at their internships, taking European vacations, and sharing productivity tips is not what people are doing. If you find that social media is altering your thoughts about rest, consider limiting your usage of social media. Take this as an opportunity to redefine what rest means in your own terms. Whether that be calling a friend, taking a walk with no destination, or trying that cafe down the street that just opened up. Whatever it could be, understand rest doesn’t have to look like doing nothing. Rest means rejuvenating your energy, which everyone needs and it looks different for everyone.
Set Boundaries
Be graceful to yourself. Maybe you’re adjusting to a new environment or feeling overwhelmed; change is filled with ups and downs. It’s important to set time for yourself to work, but also relax. Set time markers for working while allowing yourself downtime after a certain time of the day. Additionally, set attainable goals for yourself. Don’t expect to be productive 24/7. Find a sustainable balance that works for you. This can help create a mixture of relaxation and working, redefining relaxation as something that is part of a daily routine.
At Manhattan Wellness, we understand that building a new relationship with relaxation can be a hard process. We are here to support you in finding your path and feeling comfortable with your balance in life as you figure out any new chapter you are taking on.
THERAPY SERVICES FOR DEPRESSION WE OFFER IN MANHATTAN & BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
Ready to break free from negative thoughts and live the life you’ve always wanted? Start therapy for depression in Manhattan, Brooklyn, or anywhere in New York with Manhattan Wellness. Embrace a transformative journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Get support in creating empowering habits, using positive language, and appreciating your uniqueness. 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 confident, happier you
