Stress can be a healthy motivator or, for many, an emotional and physical grind that can potentially lead to health issues. For those in D.C., stress is probably something that is all too familiar.
In a earlier this month, the District ranked 35th on a list of 182 stressed-out U.S. cities.
To determine which cities are coping and which just can鈥檛 catch a break, WalletHub factored in 40 key metrics, which included 鈥� but were not limited to 鈥� traffic congestion, unemployment rate, poverty rate, child care costs and crime rate.
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The three cities that topped the list, in order from most stressed to least stressed, were Cleveland, Detroit and Gulfport, Mississippi. The least stressed out city of the bunch, according to WalletHub鈥檚 findings, was Fremont, California.
But what are the best ways to decompress in a world that may, at times, seem chaotic?
鈥淥ur country as a whole is experiencing a lot of stress,鈥� said Dr. Emily Aron, a child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist and associate professor at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.
The go-to coping strategies that Aron recommended included meditation or quick walks outside, 鈥渇ocusing on the breath鈥� in times of stress, and, if struggling, finding a place to discuss stresses while not alone.
鈥淚t is a sign of strength to reach out for help,鈥� said Aron.
Cedric Rashaw is a clinical psychotherapist with that provides 鈥渃ulturally intentional鈥� therapy.
His recommendation to clients is to 鈥渇ind your peace鈥� by disconnecting from social media or news outlets. Instead, Rashaw said one can find simple and affordable methods to decompress by getting some fresh air through activities like going into nature or fishing. He also encouraged resilience in the face of adversity.
鈥淛ust stick with it, and time heals 鈥� I always tell clients [to] look at where you were six months ago or a year. It always tends to get better,鈥� he told 草莓传媒.
Another way to cope with stressful past incidents is using 鈥渞adical acceptance,鈥� according to Venise Darisme, a licensed professional counselor at founded in 1974 that services over 5,000 people annually at its D.C. and Vienna, Virginia, locations.
Darisme said, 鈥測ou鈥檙e not condoning things that may be contradictory or things that aren鈥檛 very healthy,” when engaging in radical acceptance. “You鈥檙e just accepting that you can鈥檛 change it, that it was in the past, for example.”
A similar affirmation that both Aron and Darisme recommended was, 鈥渢his too shall pass.鈥�
Where D.C. area residents can go to destress
For those who are seeking area places to escape to in order to find moments of peace, Rashaw recommends Rock Creek Park, the Smithsonian鈥檚 National Portrait Gallery, the Washington National Cathedral, the U.S. Botanic Garden and the U.S. National Arboretum. Rashaw recommended these spaces for their pleasant, quiet scenery and their long history in the District.
One of Darisme鈥檚 favorite locations in D.C. is the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Brookland. She said, 鈥淸It] is a place of pilgrimage, of peace for people who are spiritual or religious.鈥�
While recommending Theodore Roosevelt Island and the National Gallery of Art, Aron said, 鈥淚 feel like we鈥檙e really lucky in D.C. because there are so many spaces where people can go to reset and get some peace and quiet in nature, even though you鈥檙e in the middle of a city.鈥�
