The Hidden Danger of City Life for Health Revealed 0 8

Scientists from the University of Zurich (UZH) have found that living in cities causes chronic stress in humans, as our brains and bodies are still 'programmed' for conditions in the wild. The study, published on the university's website, showed that evolutionarily, humans were adapted to short bursts of anxiety, such as when encountering a predator, but not to the constant sensory overload, noise, and rush of a metropolis.

In the experiment, volunteers spent several hours in a forest and in an urban environment. In natural conditions, participants experienced lower blood pressure and stress hormone levels, along with improved mood and concentration. In contrast, in the city, there were increases in blood pressure, cognitive function deterioration, and a rise in inflammatory markers.

According to the authors, the modern human body reacts to everyday stimuli—traffic, gadgets, tight schedules—in the same way it once reacted to life-threatening situations. The scientists believe that restoring balance can only be achieved by returning to nature: spending more time outdoors, developing green spaces, and considering human biological rhythms when designing cities.