Why Living in the City Can Be Bad for Your Health
More and more people are living in cities and it’s been estimated that by 2050 over 70% of the world’s population will be living in one. There are a number of benefits to living in the city: like having access to a number of shops, amenities, and public events, as well as the availability of jobs. You also have the opportunity to meet new people and experience different cultures, enriching your life in ways that aren’t always possible in rural areas.
That all being said, living in the city does have known negative health effects that everyone should be aware of. People living in the city need to make an effort to find ways to reduce stress and take care of their body, because when you live downtown your health and time matters and shouldn’t be taken for granted.
Linked to Stress and Anxiety
Research shows that people who live in urban areas are likely to suffer more psychological stress than those who live in rural areas. It’s generally understood that being in enclosed spaces and constantly surrounded by people is stressful. The more people you’re surrounded by, the more likely you are to feel like you’re not in control of your surroundings. This in turn causes anxiety, whether on the subconscious or conscious level.
There’s also the added issue of a lack of personal space, especially for people who live in small living quarters. For them, there’s no escape from the feeling of being closed in, and this can result in increased feelings of anxiousness.
Negative Health Effects
Stress and anxiety can lead to a number of negative physical health effects. Common symptoms include:
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Muscle tension
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Upset stomach
And the list goes on to more serious issues like high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. So as much as we’d like to think that stress is an isolated problem, it really isn’t, and it can have serious effects on your body that you should take steps to curb right away.
A Negative Cycle
Stress leads to physical symptoms, which in turn cause pain and lead to more stress. Because moving out of the city may not be an option, it’s important to stop the cycle where you can.
For instance, if you are experiencing significant back pain, consider seeing a back specialist who can help you manage the pain – and hopefully relieve some of your stress. Reducing the pain in your body is one way that you can break the negative cycle and begin to curb the effects of living in the city.
Another route you can take is making an effort to reduce your anxiety. Exercising is one of the best ways to reduce anxiety and stress, and eating healthier will definitely help.
Find Something that Works for You
Everyone has their own way of reducing stress. Make sure you set aside some “you time” so that you can reduce the impact of social anxiety and have some much-needed downtime. Taking steps like these will go a long way towards reducing the negative impact of living in the city.
