Urban Environments Effect Stress

Urban Environments Effect Stress

focus marigoldsI admit, I am a greenie as I love green life and wildlife. It was no surprise for me to discover where green space found in cities impacts stress that you may be experiencing.

Breakthrough research reveals that high blood pressure occurs when living in an urban compared to suburbs or rural environment according to Estes and a team of scientists. There is a cyclic network of cause-and-effect that creates a merry-go-round in your life and stress coupled with high blood pressure is the cost of the ride.

Pollution is a major culprit on hypertension in urban ecosystems. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports where those pesky particles that pollute the air; such as dust and soot, increase your blood pressure.

If that is not enough to get your blood pumping, when men are exposed to prolonged periods of noise pollution then there is an associated increase in blood pressure cautions Chang and his gang. The problem may be where the sounds of birds and wildlife are buffered by the noises found in cities. An outside fresh supply of water, planting wildlife food, or adding wildlife feeders attracts singing and flittering birds and other interesting critters to sooth your soul.

In reality, stress can lead to addictive behavior, such as overeating, smoking, and drinking alcohol that was reported in the EPA health browser. These risky behaviors lead to increased health care costs. Ill health prevents you from working. Tending to a sick child or loved one may be reducing your ability to be productive while neglecting others tasks for survival. These situations cause stress and may prevent you from generating a strong source of revenue and attend to your financial responsibilities, and yes, more stress.

A wide selection of fast-food outlets that are filled with tempting delicacies litter the urban landscape. Indulging in unhealthy food choices over the long term is related to an increase in blood pressure according to Li’s team of experts. You may choose to walk to the fast food venues to reduce the impacts from your food choices. Engaging in activities found in high-walkable neighborhoods reduce the risk of hypertension.

Relief is in sight where stressful conditions and improved recovery rate are blessed by exposure to nature according to Brown’s team.

The Environmental Protection Agency documents where exercising without green space may increase your blood pressure by 6 percent. Light to moderate exercise may reduce hypertension by 3 percent to 7 percent when simply looking at a rural, pleasing landscape. Increased physical activity in a forest or park may reduce stress by 87 percent. Even sitting in a room with a window view of a tree ensures a degree of hypertension relief rather than staring at the walls.

Anne Bolen from the National Wildlife Foundation (NWF) reported that submersion into green spaces revitalizes your physical, psychological, and social well-being and creates a faster recovery from high blood pressure. Viewing green spaces entices you with a gentle, engaging time-out. “Nature-deficit disorder” plagues children that tend to spend about seven or more hours with electronic media and less than seven minutes of unstructured play outdoors. The NWF’s Schoolyard Habitat education program has awarded more than 9,650 garden grants and reached about 1.6 million youths to teach environmental stewardship and teamwork activities.

An opportunity to dive into outdoor, green activities is supported by opportunities offered by the National Wildlife Federation to green-up schools, educate community members, and improve your well-being. Your environmental stewardship activities will be gratefully appreciated with the bio-diverse species that are a part of your World – guaranteed.

Elizabeth Armstrong, PhD is an author and owner business owner. Get her book, Align With The Wild, at amazon.com. Check out her Blog: naturemystic.wordpress.com. Join the Edible Garden Challenge: facebook.com/ediblegardenchallenge. Receive Jazzy Eco’s Newsletter through her website.

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