L.A. Is America's Most Stressful City, Says Forbes
Los Angeles, the City of Angels... Wait, scratch that. Let's start again. Los Angeles, America's most stressful city... That sounds more like it. According to a recent Forbes study, L.A. ranks number one among fifteen U.S. cities.
What makes L.A. so stressful? Could it be the incessant traffic? Perhaps it's the harrowing air pollution landing it at the number three spot for smoggiest metropolitan area in the country? Society constantly bites its nails over money, and L.A. offers the third least affordable housing of the studied cities and has a cost-of-living index of 135, making it the sixth-highest in the country. Or maybe it's the unfortunate scratching and clawing to land a job that grants an Angeleno the luxury of living comfortably in a land where some rest comfortably with millions while others curl up on the Venice boardwalk.
Forbes analyzed quality-of-life data from the 40 largest metropolitan statistical areas, referred to unemployment rates for July and average weekly earnings, "because it’s not only a lack of employment that causes anxiety but also too much of it," says Forbes, plus factored in housing affordability and the cost of living to produce their rankings. Additionally, since air quality affects mental health, Forbes reviewed the number of days per year with dangerous ozone levels. They also accounted for traffic congestion data, population density and each city's average of sunny days. With an average of 266 sunny days a year, L.A. certainly outshines other cities with its amicable weather. But we've all pulled out a few hairs while traversing the sprawl.
A study by the American Psychological Association in November 2010 found that L.A. residents are the most stressed in the entire country. Stress about money and the economy soared above the national average while job satisfaction and physical health dipped below it. The study revealed that 29% of L.A. residents reported having a great deal of stress; the national average at the time was 24%.
Why are we so stressed? Here's what Kathleen Hall, founder and CEO of the Stress Institute, told Forbes.
"We can’t stand uncertainty and feel enormously stressed when we feel out of control. A lot of that comes from finances, especially right now. But even if you’re employed, you’re working tremendously long hours—or worrying that you might be next." Traffic congestion and long commutes are also serious anxiety producers she says, adding, "Commuters can experience greater stress than fighter pilots in battle."
Four other Golden State cities made the list. San Diego ranks at fifth place, followed by San Francisco in seventh, Riverside in fourteenth and Sacramento in last at spot fifteen. On the heels of L.A., New York places second in the rankings with Chicago behind in third. Seattle shocked the study with a spot at number ten. Check out the complete slideshow here.
Despite the hustle and bustle of urban zones, Hall says this chaos can be positive. "In cities you have more physical contact, so for some people that actually is more comforting." Lazy days in rural country can actually be quite isolating. "The only thing that matters is your state of mind," concludes Hall.
Think happy thoughts, L.A.
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