New York is a vibrant, bustling city synonymous with glitz and glamor. Residents of NYC are known for taking care of themselves, and visitors want to look and feel their best on their city break. In this guide, we’ll share some simple health and beauty hacks to ensure you look and feel great in the Big Apple.

REGULAR EXERCISE

Exercise is part of daily life in New York. You can’t walk around an urban park or complete your daily commute without spotting endless runners, cyclists and outdoor fitness enthusiasts working up a sweat. Regular exercise is essential for physical and mental health.

The great news for those keen to get fit in the big city is that there are exercises and activities for everyone. From dance, yoga and spin classes to trampolining, Pilates, swimming, team sports and boxing, you’ll find classes and sessions for all abilities.

If you’re new to exercise, one of the best ways to up your activity levels is to walk as much as possible. We all know that rush hour traffic is a nightmare.

Save yourself time, money and stress and boost your health and well-being by walking instead of driving, getting cabs or riding the subway. Wearing an activity tracker is a great way to monitor your progress and work towards new targets.

If you need to cover longer distances, or you’re short on time, you could also consider cycling.

It’s beneficial to learn about the benefits of physical activity if you’re starting a new regimen, or you want to be more active. Exercise reduces the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and some forms of cancer.

It also strengthens the bones and muscles, improves flexibility and lowers the risk of anxiety, depression and chronic stress. If you work out frequently, you may also notice that you sleep better and you feel happier and more energetic.

Moving your body releases endorphins and it also causes the levels of dopamine and serotonin in your brain to increase.

SKIN CARE SECRETS

Looking after your skin is essential in a big city. Walking around crowded blocks and sharing the streets with thousands of vehicles can take its toll on your skin.

New York is also a city that experiences changeable weather. Freezing in the winter and hot and dry in the summer, you may find that your skin bears the brunt of strong winds, cold temperatures and powerful UV rays.

The best place to start when working towards healthier skin is to establish a daily skin care routine. Cleanse, tone and moisturize and use products that are designed for your skin type and cater to your needs.

You can buy a huge range of products today, ranging from serums and lotions to tackle dry, sensitive skin to anti-aging solutions and products designed to reduce redness or hide dark circles.

As well as adopting a daily skin care routine, it’s a brilliant idea to treat your skin to a little pampering from time to time.

You can visit one of New York’s many beauty salons, spas or aesthetic clinics for indulgent facials or non-surgical skin brightening or tightening treatments or enjoy a DIY spa day at home.

Protecting your skin from the sun is another crucial consideration in New York. In spring and summer, temperatures rise and the heat can be intense.

Wear SPF every day and use a high-factor sunscreen in the summer to prevent your skin from burning. Exposure to the sun is beneficial for producing vitamin D, but it can put you at risk of sunburn and skin cancer.

Always protect your skin if you’re out and about. It’s also essential to stay hydrated.

HEALTHY HAIR

For many of us, our hair is our crowning glory. To enjoy healthy, lustrous locks, it’s important to manage stress, use products that suit your hair and nourish your scalp, keep hydrated and eat well.

Self-help techniques, such as regular exercise, meditation, taking time out, having a hobby and doing breathing exercises can all help to reduce stress levels. It’s also crucial to make sure you drink enough water and follow a healthy, balanced eating plan to boost hair health.

Foods that are particularly good for shiny, strong hair include eggs, oily fish, berries, nuts, seeds, avocados and sweet potatoes.

Visiting a professional salon regularly is beneficial for keeping your hair in good condition and getting styling advice and tips for hiding gray hair, boosting growth or changing your hair color or cut.

Salon treatments are often more intensive than treatments you can do at home and you can also benefit from expert advice and recommendations.

Whether you need inspiration for a makeover, you’re looking for ideas for wedding hair or a style for a landmark party, or you’d like help with covering grays or growing bangs out, you won’t struggle to find talented, experienced stylists in New York.

SLEEP SOLUTIONS

Did you know that a third of US adults don’t get enough sleep? Sleep troubles tend to be more common in people who have stressful jobs and busy schedules. This is another one of our simple health and beauty hacks!

New York is known as the city that never sleeps. While this relates to the constant buzz of activity in the metropolis, it’s also an accurate description of sleeping habits for many residents.

A 2022 study concluded that New York is the most sleep-deprived city in the world. Good quality sleep is vital for optimum health.

Your body needs to rest to recharge and recover. While you sleep, critical restorative processes take place. If you don’t get enough sleep, or you have disturbed sleep, this can impact your body and mind.

Symptoms include loss of concentration, a lack of energy, increased susceptibility to illness, irritability, mood swings and fatigue.

If you find it hard to sleep, the first step to take is to analyze your routine. What time do you go to bed and when do you wake up? What do you do before you go to sleep? Do you go to bed at the same time every day?

Sleep patterns are influenced by our internal body clocks. If you go to bed at a similar time each night, you should find that you get tired when that time approaches. If you’re going to bed at 10 pm one night and 2 am the next, your body clock will be out of sync.

Establish a set routine.

Your environment is another important consideration, especially in the heart of the city. Bright lights and loud noises can make it difficult to drift off.

Try to make sure that your bedroom is as tranquil and serene as possible. Use heavy curtains, shutters or blackout blinds to block light and wear earplugs. Avoid taking phones and laptops into the bedroom and choose soothing colors and soft lighting.

New York is a sophisticated, chic city, which is known for its glamorous residents, as well as its iconic skyline and inimitable atmosphere.

To fit in and ensure you look and feel great in the Big Apple, take these health and beauty hacks on board.

Exercise regularly, enjoy the outdoors and take good care of your skin and hair. Make sure you get enough sleep and be proactive in managing and reducing stress. So, be sure to follow these simple health and beauty hacks!

Photo Credits: Courtesy