While suburb and city living certainly have plenty of their benefits, there is something about country life that does the body good.
Life moves a little bit slower out in the country. Although people prefer living in big cities, next to the ocean, and in city-adjacent suburbs, they finally felt like they could breathe until they moved out to the country—to a small farm town somewhere. And they are not the only ones, as it turns out. The benefits of country living have been well researched. Science implies that living in the country is beneficial for your physical and mental health. Whether you decide between city life versus country life or need some reminders about why living in the country is a perfect choice, read on for six of the enormous benefits of rural living.
6 Proven and Tested Benefits of Country Living
1. Clean Air. Research conveyed that your air quality improves more if you get further into the country. Scientists have some ideas for this, including a greater abundance of trees and grass, less pollution, and perhaps even exposure to cell-improving phytochemicals released from plants, microbes, and fungi. Pollution in more heavily-populated areas comes from a lack of tiny greenery, yet harmful particles released into the air from buses, trucks, cars, factories, and other mainstays of urban environments. Escaping air pollution for the country means better protection against chronic health conditions and better breathing.
2. Improved Psychological Health. Your brain works differently in the country. Living in the country over-stimulates two key and potentially harmful regions of the brain: the areas that balance anxiety and emotion. Scientists believe this is why they see higher rates of mental health problems in cities than in non-urban areas. The brain is less likely to have this kind of overstimulation in the country. The benefits? Lower risk of mood disorders and anxiety disorders. This means that you will not be able to completely prevent a mental illness or mood disorder just because you live in the country, nor are you guaranteed to have less stress in your life simply because you are out of the city. You are, on the contrary, going to avoid some of the increased risk elements for these psychological ailments that are deeply rooted in city life, and it is a benefit of country living worth considering. Just like what is implied in the book about the family’s ranch life by Bernie McAuley. Even if life takes a toll on you, one can still turn his life around with the given laid-back environment.
3. Nature Exposure. Being outside in the open air is associated with many of the benefits of country living. And while you do not have to go out to the country to find some trees and sunshine, head out to rural land, and you will find more of it than you will in the cities and the ‘burbs. Thus, spending more time in nature is a great way to improve your health, and when you live country life, you do not have to go very far to reap the benefits. Natural paradise can be found right outside your door, instead of a car or bus ride away.
4. Decrease Crime. Crime can happen anywhere, and the country is not guaranteed to be completely free of it. Still, if you want to live somewhere where you can feel more comfortable leaving your windows open for a cool breeze while sleeping or letting your kids ride their bikes alone to school. The country is going to be your incredible bet.
5. It is Cheaper. Cities are expensive to live in. It is already well-established that living in the suburbs is cheaper than living in the city, and living costs drop further in rural areas. But if you are searching for a place to get more and spend less, the first place to start is in the country.
6. Accessible Organic Foods. Access to healthy and unprocessed foods is not quite extensive in the city. Out in your country paradise, you do not have a Whole Foods within 30 miles, but there are multiple farms, all within a ten-minute drive, where you can buy fresh eggs, fruits, and veggies right from the source. The type of food that human bodies need is abundant in the country. You can even start growing your own.
The Upshots
There are advantages to country living that you would not find anywhere else. There will always be trade-offs, but if you cannot get enough big blue skies and green meadows, the benefits of country living may outweigh the negatives.
If you are thinking about moving out to the country, consider the pros and cons and make an informed decision based on how you like to live your life. Even the most adamant city dwellers may feel a certain sense of freedom and joy when they swap the crowded streets for the cornfields.
Recent Comments