With greater mental health awareness comes a better understanding of the urban effect on mental health. This understanding has resulted in the idea of the “anxious city” — meaning metro areas are thought to make inhabitants prone to conditions like anxiety and depression.
For many, a change of environment is the key to overcoming city anxiety. In 2020 alone, the U.S. Census recorded significant population losses in cities, along with major growth in rural areas. But how do you know if moving to the country is the best solution for you? Here’s what you need to know to make an informed decision.
- Where you live has a measurable effect on mental health — city residents face notably higher rates of anxiety and mood disorders
- Both urban and rural environments come with trade-offs; the right fit depends on your personal needs and values
- A temporary change of scenery can help you understand whether your current environment is the source of stress
- Treatment can help with environmental stress whether or not you’re able to relocate
The Anxious City: Meaning and Background
Cities offer direct access to people, places, and opportunities that you might not find in the country. But packing so much into such a small space isn’t always a good idea. Studies in recent years have revealed that city residents are over 20% more likely to develop an anxiety disorder and almost 40% more likely to develop a mood disorder than those in more rural areas.
But why is urban living so dangerous for mental health? According to experts, cities are extremely stimulating. This stimulation keeps the brain in a constant state of fight or flight, which damages the psychological immune system. Over time, this environmental stress makes you more susceptible to mental illness.
The Value of a Healthy Environment
Whether you opt for country or city life, mental health matters. But it’s important to note that where you live has a significant impact on brain function. What you see when you step outside greatly influences your stress and anxiety levels, even on a subconscious level.
Your environment also determines how safe you feel daily. Overstimulation puts your brain right back into stress mode, leaving you vulnerable to mental illnesses like anxiety, which affects nearly a third of adults at some point in their lives.
The environmental factors of mental illness are extremely powerful. For that reason, finding where you have the greatest peace of mind is an essential part of maintaining your mental health.
How Your Brain Responds to Environment
The limbic system in the brain is associated with emotions and determines how we store and retrieve information. The hippocampus and the amygdala, both part of the brain’s limbic system, are two structures thought to play roles in how we perceive experiences. The hippocampus, which consists of left and right hippocampi, helps us store memories, and the amygdala helps us prepare for danger when a memory is associated with an adverse event. For example, if a vicious dog bites us while we’re on a walk, thinking of taking a walk in the future will bring that experience to mind. If we decide to take a walk and we hear a barking dog, our flight or fight response may kick in, which is the amygdala’s way of helping us prepare to flee.
The same principle can apply to the stimuli in places where we live — seeing a story of an assault and robbery on the news can create an unpleasant memory when an individual lives in a high-crime area. The city-dweller who must walk home from work after dark may feel stress daily due to fear of being robbed. Chronic stress can lead to anxiety, depression, and physical health problems.
A memory of getting lost in the middle of nowhere or feeling isolated can make living in a rural setting tough. For a young person who grew up in a city where emergency assistance may be only a few minutes away, living in an area where emergency responders might take 30 minutes to arrive can be unsettling. Stories of individuals being assaulted or getting sick and not being found for days can become etched in the mind and be a source of anxiety and stress.
The Pros and Cons of City Life
The differences between city and country life are obvious. But each environment has its own set of pros and cons. Here’s what you can expect when you live in the city.
Cities also tend to be more diverse — such as San Francisco, one of the most anxious cities in the country. With all types of humans in a single area, you’ll get to know people from all walks of life.
Urban areas also tend to have higher crime rates than rural ones, which can make you feel unsafe outside your home, worsening your fight-or-flight response. Cities generally have more pollution than rural areas, which can increase your likelihood of developing a mental illness such as depression, according to some studies.
The Pros and Cons of Country Living
Just like city life, country living has its benefits and drawbacks. Depending on what you value most, a move to the country might be just what you need. To help you make a decision, here are the pros and cons of country life.
Proximity to nature is another positive aspect of country living. Spending time outdoors can greatly benefit your mental health, especially without typical urban air pollution. A quiet spot in the country can even lead to better sleep habits, thanks to reduced light and lower noise levels. Plus, you’ll avoid the excessive stimulation that puts your brain permanently into stress mode.
Additionally, the country usually doesn’t offer the same opportunities as urban areas. If making strides in your career is what matters to you, the countryside might not have the resources you need. Fewer people also means less diversity in many rural areas.
Balancing Socialization and Solitude
Socialization is how children learn many behaviors, such as talking and forming relationships. Being around others helps individuals to learn and grow. A 2017 study at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine found that socialization helps slow cognitive decline. Socially active people also seem to be at lower risk for depression than those who spend too much time alone, so some people living in rural areas with few opportunities to socialize may struggle with loneliness and depression.
While people typically enjoy socialization and its health benefits, most also crave some “me time.” Mental health experts suggest that having some alone time can improve mental health. Living in a busy urban environment without the opportunity for solitude means not having the time to be mindful and de-stress. A little silence can be healthy because it helps lower blood pressure, reduces tension, and improves focus.
How to Recognize When Your Environment Is Unhealthy for You
If you reside in an urban environment and find that you are most unhappy, maybe it’s time for a change. Sleeplessness because of noise and constant worrying that you will be a crime victim could indicate that urban mental health issues are causing too much stress.
If you long for lots of human interaction, living in a rural area may cause anguish and lead to feelings of loneliness and depression. If that describes you, it may be time to rethink your living situation. If you worry about not being able to get adequate healthcare or frequently fear for your safety because you reside in a remote area, that could be an indicator that rural living may not agree with you.
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Take a Break From an Unhealthy Environment
When the place where you live causes you to feel uncertain and stressed, and you can’t move to a location that’s more to your liking right now, a temporary change of scenery can make a difference. Just like a vacation from work can help you return with new energy, a break from your living environment can give you a new perspective.
If you live in the city and need to get away from the flurry of urban activity, why not spend a few days in a rural setting where you can enjoy solitude, listen to the birds sing during the summer, or admire leaves changing during the fall? If you have had too much of the quiet rural life, plan a getaway to an urban area where you can try some fabulous restaurants, see a show, or do a walking tour and get a taste of the urban lifestyle.
Trying life in a different place, even for a few days, can have a positive effect. You might grow to appreciate where you live, or you may move to a place more aligned with your preferred lifestyle. Your experience may lead you to plan more getaways and enjoy the best of both environments.
Finding the Right Environment for You
So, should you move to protect your mental health? In reality, there isn’t a clear answer. The best place to live depends on numerous factors, including your professional goals, hobbies, and personal needs. For some, the country might provide a necessary change of pace, while others may find it stifling and secluded.
Before you pick up and move, it’s important to determine what matters to you most. Then, you can decide which environment is better equipped to provide it. And if you’re already struggling with your mental health in the city, it may be possible to heal without moving. Things like exercise, spending time outdoors, and building a supportive community can go a long way in recovering from a mental illness.
Where you live can greatly influence your mental health, and moving to a different space can have positive effects. But a change of environment might not be enough to cure your urban depression. For the times when you need some extra support, the team at FHE Health is standing by to help.
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