joggersSo, do you like your neighborhood? I mean really like your neighborhood? Because according to the latest research, NOT liking your neighborhood could be hazardous to your health. Seriously! Researchers discovered that people who like their community (or think it's on the upswing, at least) "report better physical health" than people who don't like their community (or think it's going downhill).

Chronic pain, obesity, fatigue, diabetes, and sleep disorders were just a few of the specific complaints associated with not liking one's nabe. Makes perfect sense, really. Think of all the reasons why a person wouldn't like their community and you'll see how every issue can be linked to potentially unhealthy behavior ...

Reason to Hate Your Neighborhood: Too noisy

How Your Body Suffers: You can't sleep

Reason to Hate Your Neighborhood: Too much crime

How Your Body Suffers: You're afraid to walk anywhere

Reason to Hate Your Neighborhood: No good restaurants

How Your Body Suffers: You eat too much fast food

Reason to Hate Your Neighborhood: Too few public parks and/or recreational spaces

How Your Body Suffers: You spend way too much time on the couch

See? It all adds up. Guess the take-home message here is to call a realtor before you end up having to call a doctor -- or, since that's easier said than done, at least try to be aware of what's missing from your everyday life and attempt to compensate.

Do you like your neighborhood?

 

Image via Ed Yourdon/Flickr