Stress in the City: Is Cuddling the Answer?

Forbes recently released its report on America's Most Stressful Cities. Topping the list for the second year in a row is Chicago -- followed by Los Angeles, New York, Cleveland, and Providence, RI.


Life factors considered in the study of 40 of America's largest metro areas were:

1. Unemployment figures (Bureau of Labor Statistics - June 2009)
2. Cost of living figures (Council for Community and Economic Research)
3. Median home price declines (National Association of Realtors - 2008-2009)
4. Population density (US Census)
5. Number of sunny and/or partly sunny days (NES-DIS - 2007)
6. Air quality figures (US EPA - 2007)

As a native New Yorker, I can appreciate our ranking in the Top 5 of metro areas. However, you know that I'm a big proponent of finding creative, proactive ways to manage your stress. A lot of this has to do with your self-perception and self-talk.

Most of the life factors on the list are not things we can actively control -- EXCEPT that we do have a choice about where we live. In today's tight job market, you may challenge me on that a bit. "I HAVE to live here because of my job." But, remember, once you start to view your situation in terms of what you "HAVE" to do, you've already given yourself an extra burden of stress. The choice still exists; hopefully you're able to choose your best option at the particular moment in time.

From the career/job search perspective, I've written before about the value of focusing on the things you can control - your physical and online career presence, and your marketing collateral.

From the personal wellness perspective, I've written about the importance of flipping the script to create a more positive viewpoint. That may mean changing how you think about your situation, letting go of the "SHOULDs", or allowing space for things to be less than perfect. [I know, the horror!]

Social supports are important, too. One interesting link in the article was to a video about a new trend of hosting Cuddle Parties. Apparently taking heed of the value of physical touch in reducing stress, these parties have been held in the New York and San Francisco areas.

Would you attend (have you attended) a Cuddle Party? Comment here or tweet me your response and to share other ways you deal with stress.