Problem 1: Improper nutrition

There are far fewer natural products in cities than in rural areas, and they are not cheap. However, fast food, convenience foods, food with various additives, and highly processed foods are readily available.

Risks: weight gain, GI, and cardiovascular diseases.

Solution

• You should favor fresh, natural, organic foods that do not contain chemical additives. Your diet should consist of vegetables, fruits, grains, and protein.
• Drink enough water.
• Minimize fast food and foods high in trans fats, sugar, salt, and preservatives.

If you're not sure about the quality of your water, use filters to avoid harmful impurities.

Problem 2: Inactivity

With urbanization and busy lifestyles, many people spend most of their time sitting‒at work, in transport, and at home.

Risks: weight gain, cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal problems, back and joint pain, increased anxiety and depression.

Solution

• Make physical activity a part of your daily life.
• Take a walk, go to a fitness club, exercise at home when possible, replace transportation with walking or biking, and take the stairs on foot.
• Even a few thousand extra steps a day can make a difference.

Problem 3: Air pollution

Cars and industrial plants emit ozone, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere, which enters our lungs and bloodstream.

Risks: asthma, heart attack, chronic obstructive airway disease, lung cancer.

Solution

• Close windows during peak hours in the morning and evening when air pollution levels are highest.
• Use air purifiers.
• Walk on streets that are in parks or away from roads.
• Avoid being near high-traffic streets with small children. Children in strollers and small stature find themselves almost level with car exhaust.

Studies show that pollution levels can be reduced by 50% even when one is just 150 meters away from a busy road.

Problem 4: Noise

Constant exposure to noise levels above 50 dB is considered critical.

Risks: nervous system problems, heart attack, stroke.

Solution

• If you live near a noisy road, close your windows at night, and use earplugs or noise-canceling headphones.
• Plant trees or large shrubs around your home to absorb some noise.
• Be sure to spend regular time away from noise, such as at a library or a park.

Problem 5: Viruses

Any place where large crowds are in a confined space‒such as public transportation, offices, concert halls, or elevators‒is dangerous because viruses are spread quickly.

Risks: respiratory and viral illnesses.

Solution

• Avoid touching your eyes or nose without washing your hands, as this is how viruses enter the body.
• Use a face mask during the acute respiratory infection season and change it every 2-3 hours. This will reduce the risk of contracting airborne viral infections.

While living in a big city does pose these challenges, one big advantage is the availability of medicine. Take advantage of this and get regular check-ups to identify possible problems in the early stages. It is especially important to monitor the state of the cardiovascular system and respiratory organs, as they are most exposed to the effects of urban ecology.

24 March 2025