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Surprise! Americans are stressed. And believe it or not, our phones are not necessarily the best tools for unwinding after work. (Especially when you use it for work.)
Instead, more and more Americans are looking for other ways to shed the weight of the world on fire from their shoulders, from yoga to meditation to art classes. And according to a new study from Paint Me Like, San Francisco is leading the charge in staying relaxed despite everything.
RECOMMENDED: This new report ranks the most stressed states in America
The study looked at 50 U.S. cities and evaluated them based on access to creative and wellness activities, as well as search volume for them within the city. Paint Me Like also surveyed 1,000 Americans about stress.
San Francisco landed at number one thanks to its bountiful yoga and art studios, as well as how often San Franciscans searched for them. Following close behind at number two is Seattle, with Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami rounding out the top five. For the record, Memphis comes in dead last.
Of course, this is a very specific definition of "relaxed," but the results do point to larger trends. With gas prices rising and the cost of living creeping ever upward, more and more people are looking for activities that are both fulfilling and don't break the bank. And things like yoga classes or art lessons can be both a social activity and a way to escape from doomscrolling.
But relaxing is a lot easier said than done for most Americans, with 44% of those polled by Paint Me Like saying they feel guilty for relaxing, and 61% said they canceled plans because they felt too drained to go.
Let this full ranking of the 50 most relaxed cities in America be their guide. Sometimes, you just have to prioritize a little self-care above all else.
1. San Francisco
2. Seattle
3. Chicago
4. Los Angeles
5. Miami
6. Atlanta
7. Portland
8. Denver
9. New York City
10. Austin
11. San Diego
12. Minneapolis
13. Houston
14. San Jose
15. Philadelphia
16. Dallas
17. Boston
18. Las Vegas
19. Tampa
20. Oakland
21. Columbus
22. Raleigh
23. Charlotte
24. Sacramento
25. Baltimore
26. Albuquerque
27. Tucson
28. Nashville
29. San Antonio
30. Colorado Springs
31. Milwaukee
32. Long Beach
33. Phoenix
34. Jacksonville
35. Kansas City
36. Louisville
37. Omaha
38. Indianapolis
39. Detroit
40. Virginia Beach
41. Fort Worth
42. Tulsa
43. Mesa
44. Aurora
45. Oklahoma City
46. Fresno
47. Wichita
48. El Paso
49. Bakersfield
50. Memphis