Stress and the City: Learning to Ride the Waves
The Energy of City Life
Living in a city means being close to others and their energy.
Some days, it feels like everyone is stressed out.
It can be like a wave of tension flowing over me.
People sometimes shout for no reason, for simply being in their way, or feel the need to share their judgment without knowing me, without even having spoken to me before.
Quickly, this can influence my day in a way I didn’t ask for.
When the Day Feels “Off”
Have you ever had that feeling of “What’s wrong with everyone today?” only to see the full moon rise later and think, Ah, that must be it.
Or those mornings when everything seems to go wrong? You drop things, spill your coffee, struggle to focus, forget your keys, and end up running late all day.
We all have these days, but the question is, how do you respond to them?
Do you dive right in and feel stressed the whole day?
Or can you accept it, let it pass, and move on without carrying it?
That second option is the one I try to practice as much as possible, to keep my cortisol levels balanced and not give them more work than needed.
My Top 3 Ways to Manage Stress on “Off” Days
1. Focus on the breath
In the moment, I bring my attention to my breathing. I slow down my exhalation as much as possible and relax my belly with each inhale. Doing this a few times in a row calms the nervous system, and you can really feel the difference.
2. Check in with myself
I ask simple questions: What have I eaten? How did I sleep? How long is my to-do list, and what do I need today just for myself?
3. Close my energy circle
This means not engaging with negative people or situations. I simply don’t let that energy in, just like when you’re driving your car. You’re aware of the traffic around you, but you stay inside your own space. I imagine stepping into that same “car” as I walk through the city, aware but with the doors closed to negativity.
Riding the Waves with Awareness
By doing this, I keep my stress levels balanced, my digestion steady, and my sleep restful.
It helps me surf through the stress waves that a busy city always brings.
And then I’m ready for the next day.
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