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Mental Health HomepageConditions LibraryConditions CategoryConditions Category3 Ways City Living Increases Your Anxiety
Table of Contents:OverviewCity SoundsIncreased StressMental IllnessFinding Relief
Anxiety DisorderRead Time: 3 Minutes
Published On: August 14, 2018
Reviewed On: August 14, 2018
Updated On: November 1, 2023
OverviewMany are drawn to big cities for their vibrant culture and promise of better career opportunities — just ask the80 percentof the U.S. population that lives in an urban area. And while the allure of “city lights” can both inspire and provide an escape from the monotony of more rural environments, the constant crowds, congestion, and noise can actually trigger and worsen a person’s anxiety.It is widely understood that many who live in a city experience daily stress, such as public transportation issues and rapidly rising rent costs, but research reveals the stress of urban living is more than just a daily annoyance — it significantly impacts a person’s mental health. So what is it about the city that makes a person’s anxiety spike?There are three primary ways.
Overview
Many are drawn to big cities for their vibrant culture and promise of better career opportunities — just ask the80 percentof the U.S. population that lives in an urban area. And while the allure of “city lights” can both inspire and provide an escape from the monotony of more rural environments, the constant crowds, congestion, and noise can actually trigger and worsen a person’s anxiety.
It is widely understood that many who live in a city experience daily stress, such as public transportation issues and rapidly rising rent costs, but research reveals the stress of urban living is more than just a daily annoyance — it significantly impacts a person’s mental health. So what is it about the city that makes a person’s anxiety spike?
There are three primary ways.
City SoundsWith high-rise housing (meaning lots of neighbors), congested street traffic and seemingly endless construction noise, it is hard to find total peace and quiet in a city. And this noise level impacts a person in a significant way.Research revealsthat long-term environmental noise above a certain level has a negative impact on a person’s health and is associated with an increased prevalence ofdepressionand anxiety. Even with the best earplugs, city sounds have a way of seeping into daily life, and thus spiking your anxiety.
City Sounds
With high-rise housing (meaning lots of neighbors), congested street traffic and seemingly endless construction noise, it is hard to find total peace and quiet in a city. And this noise level impacts a person in a significant way.Research revealsthat long-term environmental noise above a certain level has a negative impact on a person’s health and is associated with an increased prevalence ofdepressionand anxiety. Even with the best earplugs, city sounds have a way of seeping into daily life, and thus spiking your anxiety.
Increased Stress
Mental IllnessWhile researchers continue to uncover more about the association between place and mental health, it is clear that the stressors of daily life contribute to developing mental health disorders. Compared to those with a more rural upbringing, city residents havehigher levelsof mood disorders and other psychiatric problems. The risk ofdevelopingschizophrenia, for instance, is almost twofold for individuals raised in cities, as the environment is tough on a person’s cognitive functions.
Mental Illness
While researchers continue to uncover more about the association between place and mental health, it is clear that the stressors of daily life contribute to developing mental health disorders. Compared to those with a more rural upbringing, city residents havehigher levelsof mood disorders and other psychiatric problems. The risk ofdevelopingschizophrenia, for instance, is almost twofold for individuals raised in cities, as the environment is tough on a person’s cognitive functions.
Finding ReliefShort from packing up and leaving, there are ways to find moments of peace amidst the hustle and bustle of a city. Taking a pause to appreciatenaturecan improve a person’s mental well-being, with exposure to trees, the sky, and natural animal sounds having a clear positive impact. Incorporating a simple visit to a park on a more regular basis is an easy way to sneak inself-care.It’s also important to note that each city will not have the same kind of negative impact on a person. Copenhagen, after all, is deemed ahappy city, due in part to its focus on daily exercise through cycling and walking (also known to benefit mental health). While some improvements can be made over time, taking small steps to boost your mood can help reduce daily stressors that contribute to anxiety.
Finding Relief
Short from packing up and leaving, there are ways to find moments of peace amidst the hustle and bustle of a city. Taking a pause to appreciatenaturecan improve a person’s mental well-being, with exposure to trees, the sky, and natural animal sounds having a clear positive impact. Incorporating a simple visit to a park on a more regular basis is an easy way to sneak inself-care.
It’s also important to note that each city will not have the same kind of negative impact on a person. Copenhagen, after all, is deemed ahappy city, due in part to its focus on daily exercise through cycling and walking (also known to benefit mental health). While some improvements can be made over time, taking small steps to boost your mood can help reduce daily stressors that contribute to anxiety.
Jessica-Lynne DuBois-MaahsJessica DuBois-Maahs is a Chicago-based writer whose work has appeared in USA Today, Verily Magazine, The Chicago Sun-Times, and The Florida Times-Union, putting her MSJ degree from Northwestern University to good use. When she is not writing, she enjoys traveling to new places and hanging out with her cat, Buster.
Jessica DuBois-Maahs is a Chicago-based writer whose work has appeared in USA Today, Verily Magazine, The Chicago Sun-Times, and The Florida Times-Union, putting her MSJ degree from Northwestern University to good use. When she is not writing, she enjoys traveling to new places and hanging out with her cat, Buster.
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