Living in a fast-paced city might seem overwhelming at times, but research suggests it could actually be key to boosting your happiness and overall wellbeing. While urban environments are often linked with stress and anxiety, the busyness of city life can bring about greater life satisfaction.
Chartered mediator Dr. Jeanette Bicknell highlighted that busyness, or the feeling of being busy, plays a significant role in individual wellbeing. In her blog post for Nautil, she discussed how people who lead busy lives, particularly those living in cities, tend to thrive at a faster pace, leading to higher levels of contentment.
“Among individuals in a society, busyness – or the feeling of busyness – seems to be an important factor in wellbeing,” Dr. Bicknell explained. “In US studies, the happiest people reported that they were busy, in the sense that they had little excess time, yet did not feel rushed. Like city-dwellers, they seemed to thrive at a faster pace.”
Dr. Bicknell’s observations align with a study conducted by Robert Levine from California State University Fresno, who explored the pace of life in large cities across 31 countries. The study found a positive correlation between the speed at which people live their lives and the strength of the local economy.
However, Dr. Bicknell was quick to point out that happiness is more closely linked to how people spend their time, rather than how much money they earn. The “Easterlin paradox,” named after economist Richard Easterlin, suggests that once basic needs are met, additional wealth does not necessarily equate to increased happiness.
A study conducted by Oxford University and the University of Hong Kong in October 2017 further supported this idea. Researchers assessed the health of over 400,000 people from 22 British cities and found that those living in high-density urban areas were more likely to lead happier and more active lives compared to those in suburban regions.
Living in a fast-paced city might come with some drawbacks, such as a higher likelihood of smoking or an increased risk of coronary heart disease, but the benefits of city life, including reduced feelings of stress and anxiety, are significant. The constant activity and opportunities for engagement can help individuals maintain a sense of purpose and fulfilment in their everyday lives.
Whether you spend your time engaging in creative pursuits, exploring new hobbies, or simply enjoying the hustle and bustle of urban life, staying busy in a fast-paced environment can be a powerful contributor to your happiness.
