chicagodads

According to Forbes Magazine, Chicago tops the nation in stressful living. They have come to this conclusion based on such facts as our high unemployment rate (which is worrisome, for sure), its air pollution (ranked #7), and its density (ranked #2) coupled with our high gas prices (always around the highest in the nation), we are a lock-in for the title of ‘Most Stressed-Out City in the US.”

Of course, the Mayor of this fine town would disagree with that assessment. And who could blame him? This may be one area where he’s right.

According to Roosevelt University Professor Jonathan C. Smith the study is way off anyway.  Smith, who heads the Stress Institute at Roosevelt , calls the Forbes research “outdated” and “pseudo-science”. Smith says that nowadays scientists measure individual’s perceptions to their helplessness and the availability of coping mechanisms.

The price of gas is more a “nuisance” than a life-altering change (such as losing body parts or property due to natural disasters, which can certainly ratchet up the stress). Smith goes on to say that just because so many live in such a compact area doesn’t account for stress either, at least with those who chose to live in the big city. “I would be stressed out if I had to live in Alaska.”

(source )

h/t to David Swanson

Trackback URI | Comments RSS