by the standards of major airports in developed countries, JFK is pretty bad, possibly actually the worst one, and it comes as a shock if you're expecting the same standard as elsewhere in the rich world. however there are a range of reasons for this and you just have to accept them because it's very unlikely to change any time soon.

waiting an hour or two after a long flight totally sucks, there's not really a way around it, you're not expecting it and you're knackered, it's the worst. acceptance of the situation really is the best way in this situation if you can do it. podcasts are good (if you still have any battery left after a long flight, which somehow i never seem to have).