Although we love city living, it can be stressful.
This year, Forbes magazine gave Chicago the honor of being the nation's most stressful city, edging out New York thanks to our rising unemployment rates, expensive gas, high population density and poor air quality. In response, Conscious Choice compiled a list of ways for city dwellers to maintain their cool...
A few of their recommendations:
- Combat the stress of high-density living by reconnecting with nature and getting outside the city every once in a while.
- Deal with economic anxiety by developing a financial plan. Preparing for the worst case scenario gives you guidelines for handling possible job loss. Live below your means in order to save up a nest egg for hard times.
- If you've lost your job, treat looking for work as its own job and develop a schedule of small, manageable tasks. Don't cut yourself off from others; networking and talking to friends increases your chances of finding a new job.
- Counteract the stressful effects of poor air quality by using green cleaners, air filters, and potted plants in your home.
- Overscheduling yourself can lead to a meltdown. Make time to concentrate on one task, whether it's exercising, reading, or writing.
To read the full article from Conscious Choice,
click here.
For Forbes' list of America's most stressful cities,
click here.
Photo: Morguefile
I live in Chicago and I definitely feel it.
view arstellla's profile
I lived in New York and Chicago and I think that study is flawed. Chicago is FAR less stressful. It was a primary reason I moved back. 'Course I don't own a car and that helps a lot.
view veej's profile
Stress relief? Indict a Governator.
view dn's profile
I believe that living in any big city is stressful.
Apartmenttherapy has been a great resource for me to get my home environment, technology and thoughts together which helps to reduce stress by providing a calm, well-edited sanctuary for those non-work, non-commute, non-going out, non-running errands moments.
As a cook, I talk about "mise en place" or "everything in its place." I'm always working at trying to get my personal mise en place in order as well. The irony lies in the fact that if one is not careful, they can get lost in their mise en place resulting in....that's right...more stress!
view art's profile
Last year we were in the people crush of holiday shoppers in NY and I discovered that the Home Depot was an oasis of calm and the huge restroom was entirely for me. And the familiarity of building products was soothing..
view Kate (NC)'s profile
I find it hilarious that the first tip for dealing with a stressful city is to . . . leave the city!
view Griffin's profile
Griffin - agreed! It's like telling people who are stressed about money to make more of it.
My main stress during this time of year are the massive amounts of tourists up and down every street in the city. But I'm just a big grump, so that's a personal problem.
view first5times's profile
As a city girl who now lives in the country I sometimes ache for that stress.
view hrhprincessfiona's profile
So true. Stress is healthy as well. Without it, we would never challenge ourselves.
view art's profile
Could this be a matter of taste? I live part of the time in Manhattan, and part of the time in a suburb of Portland, Oregon. Oregon is beautiful, and smells great, but the 'burbs are isolated and dull. Manhattan, on the other hand, is home; home always feels less stressful.
view MollyNYC's profile