Can Moving to the Mountains Help My Mental Health?
Mountains are elevated regions of land that rise sharply. Some of the most famous mountains in the world include Mount Everest, Mount Kilimanjaro, and the Matterhorn. The mountain ranges in the United States include the Appalachian Mountains and the Rocky Mountains.
Today, approximately 26 percent of American adults struggle with mental health disorders each year. The American Psychological Association (APA) reports that over 70 percent of Americans experience physical or psychological symptoms stemming from stress. If you're seeking a way to manage your stress or other mental health issues, you might wonder if moving to the mountains can help. Let's look at the benefits of living in the mountains and other ways to support your mental health.
Will your mental health improve if you live in the mountains?
Mountains aren't heavily populated, and they're quieter than urban areas, which may be one reason people living in rural areas, such as mountains, are less likely to develop mental health issues. Living in cities can take a toll on your mental and physical health. Studies indicate city dwellers have a higher risk of developing mood disorders, major mental illnesses, and psychotic disorders.
Rural populations have a lower risk of developing mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, and depressive disorder. Consequently, you might consider moving to the mountains and contact a local real estate agency specializing in mountain land for sale in North Carolina to start the process. Local realtors can help you find an acreage to build a mountain home. Local realty websites enable you to search listings by county, price, or terrain, ensuring you can find properties suited to your needs. You can also search houses for sale and rental listings if you'd prefer to buy an existing home or want to move to the area while building your dream house.
What other strategies can you use to support your mental health?
Moving to the mountains may help you tackle mental health issues if you can reduce triggers. Suppose you were in an accident while using public transit and suffer from PTSD that inhibits your ability to use public transit. Navigating cities without using public buses, trains, and subway systems isn't always possible. Moving to the mountains gets you away from urban public transportation systems, helping you eliminate a trigger prompting mental health issues.
You can also tackle your mental health issues by seeing a licensed psychologist or counselor. Turn to professional resources online to find a mental health provider. Google "best therapist near me" and use the search tool to produce a list of therapists. Use that list to find a new therapist who offers the type of therapy you prefer and who's a good fit for your needs. Thanks to online therapy, you don't have to worry about finding a local counselor, which means you can keep your counselor after moving to the mountains. Focus on identifying the right therapist with years of experience that enables you to address your mental health challenges effectively and provides the support and guidance you need.
Caring for your physical health can help with your mental health. Moving to the mountains may help if you go hiking or skiing. Living in a rural area can also give you enough land to engage in healthy activities like gardening.
Ensuring you get enough sleep can also affect your state of mind. Plants eliminate toxins from the air and produce oxygen, helping you sleep. Adding lavender, English ivy, and aloe plants to your bedroom is a great way to help you sleep at night, protecting your mental well-being.
Moving to the mountains may help you prevent or reduce mental health challenges by eliminating triggers and reducing the amount of noise. You can use online therapy to support your mental health care.
