Stress In Two Countries: A Comparison

I've been thinking more and more about what exactly it is in American culture that causes so many of us to be diagnosed with anxiety and depressive disorders. In the United States, it is easy to "live in a box", an artificial life of sorts. I've been thinking about this lately because I live in a very nice, quiet apartment where people pretty much keep to themselves. There is no yard, and I cannot open the windows without sacrificing privacy. I drive to the gym and walk on the treadmill. I talk to friends on the phone more than I talk to them in person. Sometimes I feel pretty disconnected.

This is in sharp contrast to the life I lived when I was managing a language school in Guanajuato, Mexico. Here are some huge differences:

• Due to the layout of the city, I walked almost everywhere when I lived in Mexico. There were lots of hills, and I got in really good shape, which decreased my anxiety.


• When I went shopping, I often bought healthy food from the people who grew it. I struck up lots of conversations with shopkeepers, increasing my feelings of being connected to a community, which is crucial to good mental health.


• No one cared if I was running a bit late. There was never a need to rush.


• The apartment had lots of windows and three balconies, providing lots of sunshine. The neighbors all interacted with one another in positive, supportive ways.


• If I wasn't walking, I was riding the bus, which was a relaxing way to check out the local culture and not worry about traffic, car problems, etc.


• I drank tequila. While it is generally accepted that alcohol consumption is not good for anxiety, in my case, this did not hold true, at least not in Mexico. Perhaps it is because I finally relaxed enough to not worry about maintaining constant control, which is a reason that I don't drink very often, generally.


• I never had a lack of physical contact. In Guanajuato, female friends hold hands, and people greet one another with hugs and kisses. If you are on your own, a lack of human touch can definitely contribute to stress.


• I ate the local diet, which did not include any processed foods. Additives like MSG have been linked to symptoms similar to those of panic attacks, such as a racing heart and flushing.


• It was easy to make friends. If I had spoken with someone at the market the week before, and then sat next to them on the bus, an invitation to have coffee might be forthcoming.


• There was no land line, and hence no annoying phone calls. Likewise, there was only one channel on the television, and background noise was practically non-existent. Of course, in recent years, satellite television and a proliferation of cell phones have changed this for many.


• I made a halfway decent salary, but paid only $100 USD rent. I did not have financial stress. Not owning a car contributed to this financially stress-free state.


• Health care was cheap and accessible. I only had to go to the pharmacy and explain what the problem was and the pharmacist would hand me the medicine for a very reasonable price.

Nowdays:

• I currently pay almost $1000 USD in order to live in an apartment that is safe for my kids. Along with this, health insurance and car expenses, I struggle to make ends meet.


• Everyone seems very busy. At this point in life, very few people where I live seem interested in investing the time in new friendships. I love the people I work with and attend church with, but at the end of the day, people are stressed and busy with myriad responsibilities. An occasional happy hour and catching up with friends on the phone comprises the majority of my social life. I am glad, however, that I live in the same town as my parents and brother. That makes up for a lot.


• I eat too many processed foods. This is primarily the result of too little self-control on my part. However, I do miss walking home from work and picking up some fresh veggies to saute at home on the way. Standing in line at the local huge grocery store with a few veggies is time-consuming and stressful.


• I feel like a taxi. My community is not designed with either walkers or cyclists in mind. I am continuously shuttling my two kids to activities and myself to do errands.


• If I am late to work, I can rest assured that others will take note.


• The phone rings too much with unwanted calls. I feel as though I should have one since everyone else does, though. I still haven't given in and gotten cable, though.

In no way do I mean this post to be a gripefest about the US. However, I often think about how I never even thought about taking a Xanax when I lived in Mexico. In fact, I have started a blog about living overseas since I am doing research on it anyway. I am tempted to move back to Guanajuato, since I enjoy the lifestyle so much, but since my younger son has language issues, it may be better for me to find a place with a larger expat community if I decide upon this course of action. Meanwhile, I am determined to live the best life I can where I am at.