Key topic overall is 'Everyday Wellbeing'.
The class addressed three readings -
"Stress and the City"
Summary:
This reading interests me through how it addressed the topic of city vs. country and the overall wellbeing of the people in these environments. The reading highlighted facts and a study on how town people react worse to negative interactions from other people than people whom come from the country. The reading also investigates how people who live in busier urban environments tend to have higher levels of mental health problems apposed to those from the country, there is also facts which show people born and raised in cities have higher rates of mental health problems. It is also written the way to more positivity is more time spent around nature and greenery.
This topic interests me as I am from the country and grew up in a rural area. I find myself living in the city for longer periods of time impacts my mental state and I tend to feel less relaxed and more on edge. I cannot study in urban areas and find myself tending to study on parks or outside near trees and grass.
"How to handle the move"
Summary:
The reading investigates peoples well-being when they up-root their lives and homes and move to somewhere new. It looks at the anxiety of people who haven't moved before vs the veterans and the typical problems which arise, followed by possible regret. The reading outlines ways to make the move more successful; getting to know where you're moving to, positive thoughts, meet new people through being actively involved, involve your children in the details of the move, set up a routine, find new opportunities in the area, make partner plans to get to know the area together and lastly make your new home home.
This topic doesn't interest me as much, it is more so a situation which outlines many of the possible outcomes and ways to make yourself feel better in a new environment. I personally don't have issues with moving itself so it doesn't tug on my interests.
"Think Driving Stress is Ruining your life? Apparently it is."
Summary:
This reading outlines that driving to work can lower happiness, increasing blood pressure and many other health problems, leading to a lower life satisfaction. Driving causes increased hospital visits and sick days, with the commute lowering happiness. Driving can also cause higher cholesterol, blood pressure and chances of depression. With sleep and fitness levels decreasing. Driving it is also understood through research to effect more than the commuter as it leads to shorter fuses with the longer the drive the less patience for others one has, the longer drive also lowers productiveness. The reading outlines the reason driving causes stress as we are stuck inside with only communication through the cars capabilities, when we are able to walk down the street we can communicate with the people and the environments surrounding us. Because of this people naturally need a way to release stress which therefore leads to the lasting consequences after the commute. The options for this is to leave the car at home and think of better other options, listen to talkback radio or just audio.
This topic also interests me, I am a commuter every day into Wellington City, when I drive my car I do feel my stress levels increase. When I take the bus I am totally oblivious to the outside surroundings and generally listen to my own music. I believe the use of public transport when a vehicle is needed could be key to lowering this stress and solving this problem.
Ideas for topics:
A way to make the bus and train commute more social and enjoyable for everyone, not a negative, tired feeling environment. - This could address the driving reading and the city life reading.
Dairy farmers well-being, how to get people emotionally feeling better - this currently doesn't sit into any of the readings.
To do:
- Work out which topic best interests me and what I would like to focus on
- Find some secondary research on bus commutes and city life stress
- Prepare the most interesting topic to present back to class
- Bring an example of 'Everyday Well-Being'.
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