IS it better to live in a vibrant city or the calm countryside?
Urban dwellers may enjoy more employment opportunities, cultural events and better access to public services.
GettyWhere you choose to live can have a huge impact on not only what you do everyday but also how you feel[/caption]
While country bumpkins often argue the benefits of being close to nature and animals.
Where you choose to live can have a huge impact on not only what you do everyday but also how you feel.
And a number of studies have sought to determine whether city or country is better for mental health.
Professor Susan McPherson, of psychology and sociology from the University of Essex, has tried to establish which of the two places is the best option for your mind by looking at different factors which are known to influence mental health.
Physical activity
Several studies have found physical activity can reduce anxiety and depression, and improve mood and wellbeing.
And, perhaps surprisingly, people living in cities are 64 per cent more likely than rural residents to engage frequently in active travel, according to data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS).
Active travel means getting about in a way that makes you physically active, like walking or cycling.
Writing in The Conversation, Prof Susan, said: “This is likely because there are more active travel opportunities in urban environments where there are shorter distances between facilities, shops, offices and homes.
“In fact, the mental health benefits of active travel may be just as good as physical activity for leisure.
“So, based on this measure, people living in the city may have better mental health overall,” she added.
Green space
Having access to green space, such as parks and fields, is believed to improve mental health
One 2019 study found spending at least two hours a week in nature is good for wellbeing.
However, data from a 2009-2010 UKHLS study, combined with data on the proportion of green space within different areas of England, found he amount of local green space did not actually predict mental wellbeing.
Prof Susan said: “What this suggests is that while green space may be important for mental wellbeing, having it nearby doesn’t necessarily mean people will engage with it.
“As such, we can’t assume rural living is inherently more beneficial just because nature is more accessible.”
This aligns with the findings of a 2021 study, which discovered that living near green space did not improve mental health outcomes.
“As such, urban living may be just as good as rural dwelling when it comes to the mental health benefits of green space,” she added.
Air quality
Several experts have found links between high levels of air pollution and poor mental health.
A recent review of several studies even suggests that poor air quality may cause changes in the brain regions that control emotions.
This means those who live in areas of high pollution are at increased risk of developing anxiety and depression compared to those who breathe cleaner air.
Prof Susan said: “In general, urban areas have between two to four times the levels of air pollution than rural areas, suggesting people who live in cities may be more likely to experience worse mental health as a result.
“However, the agricultural industry also generates high levels of air pollution meaning some rural dwellers in certain settings may also be at risk,” the expert added.
So, who’s more at risk of depression?
“Of course, these are just a few of the factors that affect a person’s day to day mental health – and it appears neither city nor country living is significantly better than the other when it comes to your mental health,” the expert said.
Instead, she suggested that what region you live in may have a greater impact on your mental health – rather than whether you live in the city or the countryside.
“There are many factors that may explain this effect, including the cost of living in certain areas, alongside local politics and a person’s economic status,” she said.
“The place that works best for your mental health will depend largely on broader social and economic factors as well as which aspects of your lifestyle are most important to you,” she added.