Chosen Reading

Stress and the City - How urban life affects the brain and what to do about it.
Ellard, C. (2012)

Key Notes 

• More than 50% of the world population live in cities, and although this is great for having a large variety of shopping destinations, eating places, activities and the freedom from having to rely on a car, many studies have shown that people born in cities have higher rates of psychosis, anxiety and depression. 
• There is now good evidence that exposure to nature can help to immunise our brains against the effects of urban stress. 
• City parks are important not just for aethetic reasons, but because they are proven to heal our minds. 

The Issue 

Urban environments can be a trigger of stress, it is impostant to take into account the effects our external environment has on our everyday wellbeing.