Is living in the country better for your mental health?

Asked by: Audie Hammes IV  |  Last update: September 10, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (40 votes)

But new findings from a University of Houston psychology study indicate that Americans who live in more rural areas tend to be more anxious and depressed, as well as less open-minded and more neurotic.

Is living in the country good for your mental health?

Regional Aussies said they felt more happy, optimistic, content and energised than their city slicker counterparts. City dwellers, on the other hand, reported more feelings of stress, frustration, pessimism and anxiety. More positive feelings is a great example of the mental health benefits of living in the country.

Is mental health better in urban or rural areas?

In general, urban areas have between two to four times the levels of air pollution as rural areas, suggesting people who live in cities may be more likely to experience worse mental health as a result.

Is it healthier to live in the country or city?

One health benefit that still apparently still comes with living in a country setting is lower rates of allergies and asthma in children. The wider variety of microorganisms that live there helps to build a stronger immune system.

What is the best environment for mental health?

Nature and green spaces: Spending time in nature or having access to green spaces, such as parks, forests, or gardens, has been consistently associated with positive mental health outcomes.

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Which US state has the best mental health?

The Soliant 2025 Best States for Mental Health report revealed that the best state for mental health is North Dakota, collecting 82 of the total 100 points possible. Here's how the state scored across the health categories: North Dakota has the third-lowest unemployment rate in the nation, at 2.4%.

What climate is best for mental health?

There's truth to the notion that warm weather can improve your mental health—sunlight is a natural mood booster. A 2015 study published in Depression Research and Treatment supports the importance of exposure to sunlight, which helps regulate serotonin production and promotes a positive mood.

What country has the lowest rate for mental illness?

We also see high prevalence and disability in Australia, Western Europe, and parts of the Americas, including the US and Brazil. Some of the lowest age-standardized prevalence rates in the world are in parts of Asia, like Viet Nam, Taiwan, and Brunei.

What is the hardest mental health to live with?

What Is the Hardest Mental Illness to Live With?
  • Schizophrenia.
  • Severe Bipolar Disorder.
  • Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
  • Major Depression and Treatment-Resistant Depression.
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Eating Disorders.
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • So, What is the hardest mental illness to live with?

Does living in the country make you happier?

Studies have shown that people who live in rural areas are generally happier than those who live in cities. This is likely due to the fact that rural areas tend to offer more natural pleasures, such as being surrounded by beautiful scenery and wildlife.

Where is the best place to live for mental health?

New Jersey comes in as the number one best state to live in the US for your family's mental health in 2022. Data has shown that symptoms of mental illness among adults in New Jersey (16.14%) are lower than the national average in the US (21.1%)1.

Are rural people healthier?

People who live in rural areas in the United States tend to be older and sicker than people living in urban areas. Rural residents have higher rates of cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, and obesity. They also have higher rates of poverty, less access to healthcare, and are less likely to have health insurance.

Is it better to live in a city or the countryside?

Living in the countryside can be incredibly rewarding with a healthier work-life balance. Here, you have a stronger sense of community and social connectedness in rural areas. Compared to city life, you can forge long-lasting connections with the locals and immerse yourself in nature.

Is heat or cold better for mental health?

They concluded that mental health and well-being generally worsen during warmer weather. Many heat-related factors may contribute to more severe depression, including: Increased substance abuse: Climate change that hinders your ability to work or be social may lead to increased drinking or drug use.

Where do people with bad mental health go?

Contact your local crisis team.

The crisis team support people who are in a mental health crisis and need urgent help. You might need a medical or social care professional to refer you to the team. But you can ask the team about this if you aren't sure. Sometimes you can refer yourself.

Are people happier in cold or hot climates?

Researchers have discovered, though, that while people in sunny climes are happier than those in cold ones during their autumn and winter, the pattern reverses in spring. That is, it's the change in the season that really kicks up happiness levels. When bad weather turns good, that's when you know you're truly alive.

Which state has the highest rate of depression?

The prevalence of depression is highest in West Virginia and lowest in Hawaii, according to newly released CDC data. In a June 16 report, the CDC analyzed national data from 2020 to estimate depression rates among U.S. adults.

Who has the best mental health system in the world?

Sweden: Pioneering Mental Health Care

The country's focus on early intervention and preventive care, along with its extensive research in psychiatric treatments, makes it a top destination for individuals seeking advanced mental health care.

What do people with mental illness need the most?

People with mental disorders also require social support, including support in developing and maintaining personal, family, and social relationships. People with mental disorders may also need support for educational programmes, employment, housing, and participation in other meaningful activities.

Does being outside make you happier?

Nature can help decrease your anxiety levels and can help lessen stress and feelings of anger. Exercise can also help this, but it's even better when you're outside. Regular access to green spaces has been linked to lower risks of depression and improved concentration and attention.

How to let nature heal you?

Schedule regular "nature breaks" throughout your day, even for 10 minutes at a time. Bring greenery or images of natural spaces into your home and office, both of which have been shown to lower stress according to studies. Try “green exercise” — moving your workout outdoors provides benefits.