Stress and the City

Living in a large, busy city can really take its toll on your stress levels. With long commutes, overcrowding, polluted air and as much pressure to socialize as there is to work long hours, it’s no wonder that the stress levels of those living in big cities is so much higher than those in smaller municipalities.

We all know that tension negatively affects our health, our beauty and our life expectancy, so what can we do to reduce our stress levels if we chose to live in the big smoke?

As with most health issues, exercise is a key tool in combating stress. Proven to lower the stress hormone cortisol, regular exercise not only keeps you slim, healthy and more alert but also helps you relax and unwind. If you can, finding green outside spaces, such as parks, in which to exercise maximizes the stress relieving effect.
Numerous recent studies have shown that a lack of exposure to the natural world is a major factor in the high occurrence of stress and depression in those living in built up areas.

Additionally, for the slicker of the city dwellers, beauty treatments are becoming a more and more popular way of combating the strain of modern living, equally for males as for females with many spas now offering male spa treatments. The beneficial effect of such therapies comes as much from the act of taking the time out to go to as spa as it does from the treatment itself. Taking just one or two hours out of your busy schedule to spend some time on you can have untold positive effects and is especially important for parents attempting to juggle full-time work with caring for their children.

Good nutrition is fundamental for dealing with any exposure to elements that may harm your health. Eating well strengthens you immune system thus preparing your body to defend itself. In terms of stress reduction, lowering your caffeine intake is highly advised as caffeine causes the body to act as if it is under stress. Try replacing that double espresso with herbal tea and caffeinated soda with flavoured sparkling water to really see an improvement.

Above all, it’s important to realise when you’re stressed, and do something to relieve the tension without taking it out on friends and family. Taking time for yourself to calm down, organise your diary and take stock of your situation will help you feel in greater control and more able to deal with stressful situations.