13 Simple Fixes to Reduce Stress That So Many New Yorkers Overlook

Stress doesn’t always come from the big stuff. It adds up over time in emails you can’t keep up with, in Walmart checkout lines, and the moment your DoorDash driver delivers your Chick-fil-A order without the sauces.

Most people think the fix has to be complicated: meditation retreats, expensive gadgets, or some fancy wellness kit from Nordstrom.

But the easiest stress-busters are usually the ones New Yorkers completely overlook.

Saying “No” to Pointless Things

A lot of stress comes from saying yes when you really want to say no. Extra shifts, endless committees, and neighborhood bake sales, they all pile up fast.

The happiest, calmest people often decline things that drain them.

The world won’t collapse if you skip one PTA fundraiser.

It feels awkward at first. But every “no” opens space for something that actually matters to you.

It’s like clearing out clutter. You wouldn’t keep every Amazon box forever, so why keep every obligation?

Cleaning Just One Spot

A messy home makes stress multiply. But tackling the entire place at once feels impossible. The trick?

Clean one small area.

Wiping down the kitchen counter or folding the laundry mountain on the couch instantly makes life feel a little less chaotic.

It’s why The Container Store makes a fortune selling bins: organization feels like control in the middle of madness.

Even if the rest of your house looks like a HomeGoods clearance aisle, that one clean corner can give you a surprising sense of calm.

Taking an Old-Fashioned Walk

It sounds almost too simple, but walking is still one of the best stress relievers around.

No app subscription required, no special gear needed; just shoes and somewhere to go.

Walking outside helps your brain reset in a way that scrolling on your phone never does. Even a lap around the Walmart parking lot can do wonders after a long day.

The beauty is that it doesn’t matter if you’re walking through a leafy neighborhood or dodging carts in Costco. Movement clears the cobwebs.

Think of it as free therapy, minus the copay.

Drinking Enough Water

People underestimate how much dehydration adds to stress. If you’re snapping at coworkers or panicking in traffic, sometimes you just need a glass of water.

It often feels like half the country runs around fueled only by Starbucks and Diet Coke. That might keep you upright, but it doesn’t keep you calm.

Carrying a reusable water bottle isn’t glamorous, but it helps more than a $14 mood latte.

Stress feels heavier when your body’s begging for hydration, and the fix is sitting right there at Kroger in a 24-pack.

Going to Bed 30 Minutes Earlier

Sleep debt is like a sneaky credit card balance. It builds up until you feel constantly frazzled.

Going to bed just 30 minutes earlier makes a huge difference.

You don’t need melatonin gummies from Walgreens or a $500 weighted blanket from Brooklinen to make it happen. Just shut down TikTok a little earlier.

Most people are shocked by how much calmer they feel when they’re not surviving on fumes.

Think of it as a gift to yourself. It’s better than anything you’d buy at Nordstrom Rack.

Limiting Phone Notifications

Your phone buzzing constantly is like having a toddler tugging at your sleeve every five minutes. Of course you’re stressed.

Turn off unnecessary notifications, and suddenly life feels quieter.

Do you really need Instagram reminding you about “suggested reels” at 11 p.m.?

Even work emails can wait until after you’ve checked out at the grocery store.

The calm that comes from fewer dings is like finding an extra McNugget in your box. It just makes the day better.

Listening to Music You Love

Music changes moods instantly, but too many people forget to use it.

Throw on Motown while cooking dinner, classic rock in traffic, or a calming playlist when you can’t fall asleep. It works better than yelling into the steering wheel.

There’s a reason grocery stores from Walmart to Sprouts play background music.

It makes the atmosphere feel calmer, even when people are fighting over the last BOGO deal.

Your brain can’t panic as easily when Aretha Franklin or Elton John is blasting.

Writing Things Down

Carrying stress in your head is like carrying too many Target bags at once. You’ll drop something eventually.

Writing down what’s bugging you takes the weight off. It doesn’t need to be fancy journaling with pastel pens—just a list on a napkin works.

Once it’s on paper, your brain relaxes because it doesn’t have to juggle it anymore.

Even making a Walmart shopping list reduces stress. You stop overthinking and start taking action.

Laughing More

Laughter is one of the cheapest, most overlooked fixes for stress. A five-minute comedy clip on YouTube can turn around a bad day faster than a spa appointment.

It’s why shows like Friends and The Office keep streaming.

People don’t just want nostalgia. They want the relief of a good laugh.

Find humor where you can: memes, TikTok, and old sitcom reruns on cable.

Stress doesn’t stand a chance against a genuine belly laugh, especially one you weren’t expecting.

Eating Something Green

Nobody’s saying you have to live off kale. But eating a salad once in a while really does help your body handle stress better.

Fast food is convenient, but living on Taco Bell and Domino’s eventually catches up with you. Even McDonald’s will hand you apple slices if you ask.

Throw in something fresh—spinach, cucumbers, whatever’s on sale at ALDI—and your energy won’t crash as hard.

Your body works better when you feed it something besides cold pizza, and that lowers stress in ways caffeine never will.

Taking Short Breaks From Screens

Sitting in front of a screen all day makes stress creep up without you noticing.

Even a five-minute break to stretch, step outside, or just stare at something that isn’t pixels can reset your brain.

Many grocery store employees take “resets” to keep stores looking neat, and you can do the same for your head.

Your eyes and brain will thank you for it, especially if your idea of relaxing is watching Netflix while scrolling Amazon.

Doing One Thing Slowly on Purpose

Life moves fast, and most stress comes from trying to keep up. Doing one thing slowly—drinking coffee, folding laundry, cooking dinner—can trick your brain into calming down.

It’s not about productivity. It’s about enjoying a moment without rushing.

Even standing in line at Costco can be less stressful if you let yourself actually breathe instead of doomscrolling.

Slowing down feels rebellious in a world obsessed with speed, but it works.

Talking to Someone Who Gets It

Stress grows when you keep it bottled up. Talking to someone who understands makes it shrink fast.

It doesn’t always need to be a therapist. Sometimes a chat with a friend in the Starbucks drive-thru line is enough.