This content is for informational and educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.
Rural and urban environments have certain challenges and opportunities.
When you understand how both of them work, you’d be able to do well, regardless of your address.
📋 Table of Contents
About the Rural Life
In a rural area, people usually deal with issues like
- Limited access to good health care
- Taking a long time to be able to see a specialist
- And not so many health resources
There are also things like
- Social isolation
- Difference in the economy
- And the physical demands of working in a rural setting
Someone who’s from the city might find it kind of hard to fit in.
But there are many good things about rural life.
Such as
- Having a strong social network
- Easy access to the beauty of nature
- And a slower pace of life
The Urban lifestyle
In the city, you can have better access to
- Health care facilities
- Specialist
- And more health services
You would easily find things like diverse
- Fitness classes
- Shows and concerts from your favorite celebrities
- Schools
- Healthy food options
- And cultural values that improve mental health
But, it has its own downsides, like,
- Air pollution
- Noise pollution
- Higher levels of stress
- FOMO syndrome
- And the fast living style
Rural and Urban: Tips to manage your lifestyle
Living in the city
Even if it might seem like you can’t experience nature like those living a rural life, you still can.
Take it upon yourself to
- Visit parks
- Community gardens
- Or even sit in your own balcony garden
You can still connect with nature.
And it has benefits like,
- reducing stress
- and improving one’s mood
Find ways to work out too. Even with a busy job or schedule.
- Take the stairs all the time
- Walk during your lunch break
- Do quick exercises at your desk
- Stop driving everywhere you go
- Get a bicycle to take you around
- High-knees while watching the news
- Do 10 squats when you wake up
- Clean your house regularly (do a thorough cleaning even if it’s not necessary
- Stand more than you sit
Create a small workout routine, where you work out 3-6 days a week.
- There are YouTube workout videos as short as 10 minutes.
- Apps that have free workouts you can follow.
- Brisk walk every morning or evening
- Run or jog
- Do HIIT training, they’re quick but also effective.
For your diet, go for healthy options
- Yogurts
- Chicken
- Fish
- Greens
- Brown or white rice
- Beans
- Almond milk
- Nuts and seeds
- Yams
- Sweet potatoes
- Eggs
- Tuna
- Sardines
- Lean meats
Eat less sugary things like,
- Chocolate cookies or other types of cookies
- Sugary drinks
- Chocolate teas
- Jam doughnuts
- Sprinkled sugar doughnuts
- Cakes
- Candies
- Sweets
- Biscuits
If these are the type of things you eat regularly, they can affect your health.
You could explore things like,
- Farmer’s markets
- Community-supported agriculture ( CSA)
- Local food co-ops near you
Rural living
Try using health technology for your health.
Use telehealth to help you make appointments with specialists, without worrying about how far away you are.
- Enjoy some fresh air
- Go hiking
- Swim
- Go fishing with your people
Get updates on health issues in your environment.
Share your knowledge and resources with your community.
You could organize things like,
- Exercise groups
- Potluck dinners
And health education that focuses on disease prevention, and addresses certain local health problems like:
- Maternal mortality
- HIV/AIDS
- And chronic diseases
- Tuberculosis
- Poor water quality
Urban and rural: Lifestyle tips
Don’t sit at home every day of the week.
- Go out sometimes, to see what’s happening around you.
It’s good to connect with people in your community. You could join a
- local club
- volunteer committee
- Or even just talk with your neighbors.
Educate yourself on things relating to health and share them with others.
Reduce screen time
And have days where you disconnect from any online activity, and go on a digital detox.
Like,
- Taking time off social media
- Leaving your phone, laptop, or computer for hours a day to do something else
The bottom line
Rural and urban life have differences and challenges.
What matters is that you understand them and know the opportunities they have.
And you can adapt.
