Surveying/Asking Questions

Do you find city living stressful and for what reasons?

Not overly, though certainly some things stress me out! One is probably neighbours playing music at all hours (I live in an upstairs flat in a block of flats, so neighbours all around). Uni is probably my biggest source of stress!

For me, the most stressful part of living in a city is the traffic and the large number of people. Traffic/lots of people can be a bit overwhelming and overstimulating.

Yes, the city is stressful, it's always so busy 24/7. No time to stop and de-stress.

Not really.

Not at all! 

I find it stressful sometimes because I come from a small town with a lot less people.

No, everything is convenient, good public transport, access to shops.

Not particularly as where I live is close to the places I need to go. Although the noise annoys me when I need to study or sleep.
Overall, city living is not too stressful for me. However, I think this can vary depending on the city and active management of stress levels.

What activities do you find particularly stressful in the city?

Parking! And driving with nutty pedestrians. Also walking home alone at night.

Driving. There are a lot more pedestrians and terrible drivers in the city. Plus, the city I live in has lots of narrow, one-way streets that make it more difficult to navigate.

Travelling around the city is probably the most stressful activity.

Traffic mainly.

Parking.

Doing errands in town, especially on busy days.

Probably money is something that makes living in a city stressful. Public transport can be stressful, or trying to get somewhere when its pouring rain and you dont have a car!

Driving, university, also when you need to get somewhere fast and there's traffic lights and people in the way/slow walkers.
Transportation. Traffic when driving or navigating a public system transport- both options are pretty stressful.

What areas in the city do you find most stressful?

City centre.

Downtown. The higher the density of people, the more stressful it is.

The roads.

Driving behind muppets.

When there is lack of communication about streets being closed/busy due to public events.

The middle of town (in and near the Meridian Mall).

I think that lambton quay is probably the most stressful place, mainly because its so congested with people most of the time that you have to battle your way through the crowd.

Industrial areas, areas that you don’t know as well.

Popular intersections.
Crowded areas with lots of people.

How do you reduce your stress?

Attend church services, scenic drives alone or with friends, going for a run in the botanic gardens, practicing with a dance group.

Dance, read, watch movies, go for walks.

Take time for myself. Go for a walk, watch a movie, have a nap, hang out with a friend, go out to my parent's farm.

Go sailing.

Reading, listening to music, eating.

I go into town with a friend or if I'm by myself I listen to music.

I reduce stress by going on walks, mainly Evans Bay or around Mount Vic. Sometimes I like to just sit somewhere quiet and read for a bit as well.
Complete tasks that are stressful, confront task head on, make headway on problems, go for a walk or run.

Nap/sleep, eat, cry, walk, go in the fresh air.
Yoga, journaling, and walks.

Why do you sometimes not do these activities that you know reduces your stress? Barriers etc

Bad weather mainly (rain, storm, ice)! Though also choosing to sleep in instead of activities in the morning. 

Usually if I don't do these things, it's because I'm being lazy or I'm too busy.

I feel like I don't have enough time for things like that I guess. I have too many other things to get done.

Factors such as a friend not being available, but I can listen to music almost every time.

Going for walks is hard when the weather isnt co-operating.

Weather, health.

No time, it's too late to go outside for a walk.
Time management, or weather.

What’s your thoughts on the opinion that nature reduces stress?

I very much agree!

I would agree with that. Being immersed in nature makes it easier to let go of the current stresses in my life and be more present in the moment.

I reckon nature does reduce stress, it's always quite peaceful to go for a walk in the park or just chill out on the farm. It's a much slower pace to city life.

The sea is great.

Too busy, life style.

I think nature can reduce stress.

Would 100% agree that nature reduces stress. Even just going somewhere that you can get away from the loud noises and hustle in the city, even when you are still in the city is good. eg: the botanic gardens are still quite central within the city (although you can't really appreciate this as much on a rainy day).

I agree.

I believe it does. I grew up in a rural area and being amongst greenery and trees has a calming effect on me. Here in the city I feel an absence of it.
I strongly agree that nature has an impact on stress relief. The park or gardens in Christchurch are always calming to visit, and in Paris I actively sought out places with nature further from the city centre on the weekends.

Tell me about a time you felt nature reduced your stress?

I was feeling very stressed at the beginning of the year with uni starting up and moving into a new flat etc, so I got in my car and drove out of town and up a hill until I could find a bay to stop in with a view. I just sat and looked out at the hills and harbour and felt less hemmed in by the uni and town and it helped me put my stress in perspective. The landscape also reminded me of home.

Several weeks ago, I took a trip to the mountains. I woke up super early and took a hike to see the sun rise over the mountains. I felt at peace being far from all the people and just appreciating the beauty of the state where I live.

I love to look at the stars whenever I'm out at home, it always makes me feel really small and my problems insignificant.

Went sailing.

When I was feeling overwhelmed (especially last year) I would go to the Botanic Gardens and walk around/ sit down for a while.

I like going on the nature walks because its somewhere thats quiet and you are able to be by yourself.

I went for a run through a park.

I have taken my sketch books with me up Mount Vic and sat under a tree to do uni work. It is a relaxing, freeing, fresh space which is opposite to city buildings, concrete etc. Also nature is a comfortable space as it is familiar with my childhood, nostalgia factor.
I visited the Bois de Vincennes and spent the entire day walking through the forest away from people and the crowded busy city. It very much helped me feel calm and relaxed when I needed it.

Where would you appreciate seeing more nature within cities?

I think there is an opportunity for incorporating plants on large blank end walls of buildings and retaining walls to break up the monotony. Low to the ground plants and flowers along streets would also be nice (I find trees on footpaths can sometimes add to the confusion with lots of pedestrians and cars and buildings and signs in the city centre.)

Having more parks and building/working the city around nature, rather than destroying it for the sake of convenience (i.e. building a road that wraps around the mountain, rather than blasting holes to make a tunnel that goes through the mountain).

It'd be nice if there weren't so much light pollution I guess. Or more comfortable seats around uni to just lay back and relax.

It would be nice to have a few more little sitting areas/ coffee/store with trees and nature.

Maybe along the streets, or if they had more trees, plants, etc in the Octagon.

Inside buildings.

We need more natural spaces in the city.

Especially in New Zealand, where nature is such an important part of our culture I think it is important there is nature in cities.