Living in New York City, one of the most fast-paced and chaotic cities in the world, is starting to feel overwhelming. Every day feels like a battle to maintain balance, and my body is signaling to me that something is off. Lately, I’ve been feeling sick, constantly bloated, and wondering if my environment is part of the problem. Is my body trying to tell me that I need to leave NYC behind and seek out a place that’s less stressful and more conducive to my well-being?
Public transportation is one of the main stressors in my daily life. Riding the train in NYC can bring anxiety, and I often feel uneasy. Every other week, there’s someone struggling with mental health issues asking for money, and while my heart goes out to them, the unpredictability can feel scary. The influx of new immigrants also brings a different vibe. While most aren’t a direct threat, some encounters have left me feeling on edge. The sheer volume of people, from every walk of life, packed together in confined spaces can feel suffocating.
Another challenge is access to fresh, quality food. Living in an urban neighborhood, the fruits and vegetables available to me are often far from fresh. It’s frustrating because when I compare the produce here to what’s available in areas like Manhattan, the difference is stark. It’s almost as if the lack of access to quality food in less affluent neighborhoods is by design, and I can’t help but feel like this contributes to the overall poor health in communities like mine.
Recently, I was watching a content creator who left America in 2015 and hasn’t looked back since. She talked about how her health improved dramatically once she started traveling and living in other countries. Her story made me pause and wonder if it’s time for me to do the same—take the leap and travel, to seek out countries that prioritize wellness, offer fresh food, and where life moves at a healthier pace. Could this be a sign to explore solo travel and step away from the rat race that NYC, and the U.S. as a whole, seems to be?
There’s no denying that America has a heavy focus on profit, often at the expense of its citizens. Our food supply is filled with GMOs, chemicals, and additives that other countries have banned. It feels like everything we consume here is tainted, and our health suffers because of it. Sure, greed and exploitation exist everywhere, but it seems particularly rampant in the U.S., where everything we buy and eat seems to come with hidden consequences.
I know that every country has its flaws, but it’s hard to ignore the toll that living in America is taking on my mental and physical health. Traveling might offer the reset I need, a chance to disconnect from the stressors of city life and reconnect with myself in a way that promotes true wellness.
As I weigh my options, I’m left asking: Is this the push I need to leave it all behind and start fresh? The idea of traveling for wellness and exploring places that prioritize health and well-being feels more and more like the answer. Maybe it’s time to listen to my body, take the plunge, and go in search of a life that feels less like survival and more like living.