Stress and Urban Life......
The region of the brain that reacts to stress is directly linked to the autonomic nervous system,which controls basic physiological functions. When our bodies become stressed, our attention heightens, muscle tension increases, blood pressure rises, the pulse quickens, respiration increases, the digestive system slows, and one’s body produces more adrenaline.
Stress reactions are deeply rooted and primal. The “fight or flight” response often determined survival in the early history of humans. In today’s urban settings, dangerous situations are no longer the most common source of stress. Yet our body’s systems respond in similar ways to the ongoing, ever-present stresses in our modern lifestyles, and there are few opportunities for recovery. Cumulative “daily hassles” can have a greater impact on health and well-being than less common acute stress events.
Everyday stress factors in modern society can include financial strain, work demands, job loss, complex family interactions, marital conflict, and other persistent situations. In urban environments, people are often overloaded and over-stimulated by noise, movement, and visual complexity. Such daily interactions can overwhelm people. People who are raised in urban environments experience increased risk for mental health disorders.
Another source of stress in contemporary everyday life is the feeling of disconnect between what we can accomplish and what we perceive is expected of us, especially in the work place. This can lead to feeling a lack of control in one’s life. Surveys indicate that 80% of Indian workers experience stress in their workplace, and most people today believe they experience more stress than people did one generation ago. One result is anger, which can contribute to poor work performance, absenteeism, and increased turnover.
Combined, life stressors lead to conditions of chronic stress. Chronic stress occurs when a person is exposed to mild or major stressors for a prolonged period of time with no opportunity for recovery, and then feels that he or she has no control over that situation. Individuals of lower socioeconomic status often experience a disproportionate amount chronic stress due to little control over work conditions, as well as higher exposure to violence, unemployment, and crime.
