Building a stronger, healthier NYC

By nearly any measure, 2020 has been a challenging year, one full of extraordinary news and events. Words and phrases which once sounded foreign or awkward are part of our daily life – “social distancing” and “new normal” come to mind. In recent weeks, however, I’ve noticed a new expression: “pandemic fatigue.”

It’s been nearly 8 months since the first recorded case of coronavirus in New York, and COVID-19 continues to be a public health challenge; it makes sense that we are tired. Everything about the way we work, live, study and socialize has changed in a very short time.

Additionally, October marks National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month. Early data suggests that depression, anxiety and other mental health challenges have increased throughout the pandemic. The fear of how a novel virus will affect our loved ones, the physical distance from many friends and family and the relentless uncertainty has taken a steep toll.

How can New Yorkers respond to this emotional and mental fatigue? I believe it starts with our attitude, healthy habits and the right tools and environment to thrive. But I know it’s more difficult than ever to make the time and space for mental, physical, emotional and social health. 

Here are my suggestions on how to prioritize your wellbeing, which I hope will help you as they have helped me.

Practice the basics. Don’t underestimate the importance and impact of baseline physical “care and maintenance.” By eating a balanced diet, getting adequate sleep and exercising frequently, we can help maintain our energy in a healthy way. Across the city, many farmer’s markets remain open for business, and parks are also open for socially distanced exercise. I’ve been trying my hand at new, healthy recipes, and am finding cooking to be a relaxing and satisfying new hobby. 

Disconnect to reconnect. The boundaries between our work and home lives are blurry these days. While I love getting to know colleagues’ families, pets and children over video calls, working from home also means it’s hard to easily disengage. But stepping away from work and email is necessary for a mental reset. I’ve taken up meditation each morning, which puts me in the right frame of mind to tackle what’s ahead, and taking walks with my dogs also helps me decompress.

Check in on each other. I miss the office, where I’d run into colleagues in the hallway, elevator and cafeteria. But I’m grateful that we have so many virtual tools which allow us to creatively connect with colleagues. Participate in virtual brainstorms, group check-ins and team lunch and learns. For introverts who aren’t a fan of large groups, connect one-on-one with a colleague, mentor or friend. I’m a big fan of the old-school phone call, especially on video-heavy days. Maintaining social connections during a time of isolation can help stave off loneliness.

Lend a hand. Research shows that people who volunteer are happier than their peers and have higher levels of gratitude. That should be even more motivation to give back, since our city needs your support now more than ever. New York Cares is a great resource with thousands of virtual and on-the-ground volunteer projects across the city. At EY, I’m excited about the upcoming EY Connect Week, which will connect our people with virtual volunteer projects across the city.

Ask for help. Stamp out Stigma has a powerful goal: to “transform the dialogue on mental health and addiction from a whisper to a conversation.” There is no shame in asking for the help you need to ensure your personal health and wellbeing. NY Project Hope offers a free, confidential helpline to assist New Yorkers with their emotional response to COVID-19. In New York City, text WELL to 65173 to connect with a counselor. Please take advantage of these resources if needed and encourage friends and loved ones to do the same.

The sacrifices we’ve made, from working remotely to limiting time with friends and family to homeschooling children, are undeniably difficult. It’s hard to sustain our energy when we don’t know how long this will continue. This is not a sprint, but a marathon – and perhaps an ultramarathon at that.

But we can help build a stronger, healthier New York City by prioritizing our personal health and wellbeing, as well as looking out for others. While change doesn’t happen overnight, I believe that committing to small, achievable steps leads to great progress.

Stay safe and healthy, New York!

The views reflected in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the global EY organization or its member firms.