The question of whether or not urban environments can induce mental illness is a controversial one. On the one hand, while driving in the city, the busy urban environment can induce stress and anxiety while on the other hand, living near parks has been shown to have benefits such as decreased crime rates and increased levels of physical activity. In this article we will discuss how cities are linked to mental health outcomes while also exploring some of the potential consequences associated with living in an urban environment.
In this article we will discuss how cities are linked to mental health outcomes while also exploring some of the potential consequences associated with living in an urban environment.
The question of whether or not urban environments can induce mental illness is a controversial one. On the one hand, while driving in the city, the busy urban environment can induce stress and anxiety while on the other hand, living near parks has been shown to have benefits such as decreased crime rates and increased levels of physical activity.
One study found that people who live in densely populated areas were 40% more likely to develop depression than those who don’t (Suarez et al., 2016). Living in a dense area may be associated with higher risks for developing social isolation which has negative consequences such as increased levels of stress while also leading to the need for higher levels of self-reliance.
One argument in favor of urban environments is that they are more walkable, which has been shown to improve health and quality of life (Wang et al., 2009). The World Health Organization cites the benefits associated with living in an urban environment ˜ including more varied employment opportunities ˜ as its reason for promoting cities worldwide. In addition, there are many ways in which city dwellers can reduce their risk factors for mental illness by adjusting their lifestyles. For example, instead of driving or taking public transit while stressed out from heavy traffic flows during rush hour times, people could take a break while still being near work through walking or biking; they can also take advantage of free services like meditation and yoga while there.
Visualize the city as an organism that ˜ while complex, unpredictable, constantly changing ˜ is still made up of smaller communities which in turn contain people who have their own unique experiences living within them. The following are ways to improve mental health through urban environments:
The pros and cons of urban living highlight how this type of environment provides many opportunities for improving one’s mental health while at the same time poses some risks due to its complexity. For example, while driving in the city, the busy urban environment can induce stress or a feeling similar to being “in survival mode”, causing drivers’ heart rates to rise (Rosenblum et al., 2016).
The following are ways to improve mental health through urban environments: while driving in the city, the busy urban environment can induce stress or a feeling similar to being “in survival mode”, causing drivers’ heart rates to rise (Rosenblum et al., 2016).
There is also evidence that suggests living where safety and social equity are prioritized reduce risks for post-traumatic Stress Disorder. In addition, proximity of services such as schools increase likelihood of people seeking help when needed while limiting opportunities for crime. Lastly, there is an increased sense of community as neighbors know each other better while less time spent commuting means more opportunity for interaction with others throughout the day (Lamberti & Burden Jr., 2015)
Visualize the benefits of urban living while considering the drawbacks.
while driving in the city, the busy urban environment can induce stress or a feeling similar to being “in survival mode”, causing drivers’ heart rates to rise (Rosenblum et al., 2016). There is also evidence that suggests living where safety and social equity are prioritized reduces risks for post-traumatic Stress Disorder. In addition, proximity of services such as schools increases likelihood of people seeking help when needed while limiting opportunities for crime. Lastly, there is an increased sense of community as neighbors know each other better while less time spent commuting means more opportunity for interaction with others throughout the day (Lamberti & Burden Jr., 2015)
Visualize benefits while living in the city:
proximity of services such as schools increases likelihood to seek help when needed while limiting opportunities for crime - there is an increased sense of community while less time spent commuting means more opportunity for interaction with others throughout the day
Visualize disadvantages while living in the city:
stress or feeling similar to being “in survival mode” can cause drivers’ heart rates to rise (Rosenblum et al., 2016) - mental illness risks increase while many everyday activities become impossible due to lack of mobility and accessibility (Bianca, 2018).
Steps for alleviating urban frustrations include reducing amount of cars on roads by prioritizing public transportation over private car use.