Hi everyone, and welcome to my Blog. Previously, we looked into the roles of social interactions and their impact on well-being, along with how changes in the environment can impact well being, both these questions help us understand how different environmental factors impact our overall well-being. To wrap things up, with this Inquiry, we will be learning about different geographical locations and environments impact well-being.
When examining the effects of different environments on well-being on a global scale, it’s important to consider variations in cultural, economic, and locational contexts. This is a deeper dive into how urban, rural, and natural environments affect well-being differently across many parts of the world:
In big cities like, New York, Tokyo and London, serve as economic engines, with many job opportunities across various branches of work, including finance, technology, healthcare, entertainment, etc. (1) The concentration of businesses and industries in these cities leads to higher employment rates and career advancement prospects. Cities also often offer higher wages and salaries compared to rural areas, reflecting on the the cost of living. Urban environments are advantageous for innovation and entrepreneurship due to the dense network of businesses, research institutions, and talent. (1) Cities like San Francisco and Berlin are known for their vibrant startup ecosystems. Overall, the focus on careers in big cities and the amount of opportunities it provides for people to exaplore their passions does increase one’s well-being due to the fact that the opportunities are endless. (2)
Cities attract people from diverse backgrounds, creating a multicultural environment where different traditions, languages, and cultures exist together. This cultural diversity enriches the social fabric and promotes understanding and inclusion, positively impacting well-being. Cities often have access to theaters, museums, galleries, music venues, and festivals. For example, New York’s Broadway, London’s West End, and the many art galleries in Paris and Berlin offer good cultural experiences. (3)
On the other hand, extreme population density, leading to crowded living conditions. This overcrowding can strain infrastructure and public services, making everyday life more challenging. This leads to the demand for housing in cities exceeds the number of housing options there are, resulting in high prices. This can force low-income residents into overly expensive housing and different settlements. Also, limited access to green spaces and natural environments in cities can negatively affect mental well-being. (4)
In rural areas, people often have stronger social ties and a sense of community. These bonds create mutual support, shared responsibilities, and collective decision-making, contributing to better well-being and a strong support system. (5) In rural areas, it’s common for multiple generations to live together or nearby in rural settings, which can strengthen family ties and provide emotional support further supporting well-being. Many rural communities rely on local resources for living, creating a degree of self-sufficiency and resilience against economic changes. Rural areas have lower levels of air and water pollution compared to urban areas. (5) This contributes to better respiratory health and overall well-being. The natural landscapes, forests, mountains, and rivers, in rural areas encourages outdoor activities and a connection with nature, which can improve physical and mental health. On the other hand, rural regionsareas can experience income inequality, with a small percentage of wealthy people and manylow-income workers. This can create economic instability. Overall, rural areas develop a sense on community but sometimes lack stability in different aspects. (5)
Something similar to rural areas are natural areas, since they are often also considered rural and disassociated from big cities. Exposure to natural environments reduces stress and improves your mood. Practices like Japan’s “forest bathing” have been proven to lower cortisol levels, reduce blood pressure, and enhance relaxation overall improving well-being. (6) Time spent in nature can improve mental clarity. Activities such as walking in a forest or by the sea can boost attention span, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Natural areas play a crucial role in maintaining clean air and water. Forests filter pollutants, water cycles, and maintain good air and water quality, which are essential for human health and well-being.(7) Natural environments attract millions of tourists each year, providing a significant economic boost to local economies. Nature-based tourism includes cultural and educational experiences that raise awareness about the importance of protecting natural environments and help improve well-being. (8)
Overall, the type of environment you’re in significantly influences well-being, and include the effects by regional economic conditions, cultural practices, and infrastructural development. Balancing the benefits and challenges of urban, rural, and natural environments is crucial for enhancing global well-being. Promoting sustainable urbanization, improving rural economies, and conserving natural environments are key for achieving this balance and bettwer wellbeing.
I hope you you learned as much as I did throughout my blog posts, this one does concludes my Inquiry, and thanks for reading!
Sources:
1.Todd LitmanExecutive director at Victoria Transport Policy InstituteTodd Litman is founder and executive director of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute. “Urban Sanity and Its Impact on Mental Health.” Urbanet, 19 Dec. 2023, www.urbanet.info/urban-sanity/.
2.“How Cities Negatively Affect Mental Health: Tips and Coping Strategies.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/mental-health-living-in-a-city. Accessed 5 June 2024.
3.How Do Urban Environments Affect Young People’s Mental …, journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0033354920982088. Accessed 6 June 2024.
4.“Reducing the Negative Impacts of Crowding.” Housing for Health – the Guide, www.housingforhealth.com/the-guide/health-housing/reducing-the-negative-impacts-of-crowding/. Accessed 5 June 2024.
5.“Social Determinants of Health for Rural People Overview – Rural Health Information Hub.” Overview – Rural Health Information Hub, www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/social-determinants-of-health. Accessed 5 June 2024.
6.“How Does Nature Impact Our Wellbeing?” Taking Charge of Your Wellbeing, www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/how-does-nature-impact-our-wellbeing#:~:text=Being%20in%20nature%2C%20or%20even,the%20production%20of%20stress%20hormones. Accessed 5 June 2024.
7.“Nature: How Connecting with Nature Benefits Our Mental Health.” Mental Health Foundation, www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/research/nature-how-connecting-nature-benefits-our-mental-health. Accessed 5 June 2024.
8.Living with Natural Areas, thamesriver.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/NaturalAreas/Living_with_natural_areas_generic.pdf. Accessed 6 June 2024.
