Many South Africans are pondering moving abroad due to the ongoing crises in the country. There is growing pessimism and hopelessness among many people in SA, leading to deteriorating states of mental health.
The seemingly endless state-regulated power cuts, increasing crime levels, rising unemployment, and failing infrastructure make the future look rather unattractive, forcing many South Africans to consider options abroad.
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MENTAL WELL-BEING
The anguish caused by the incessant load-shedding has led South Africans to become a nation with diminished hope and optimism. Happiness and satisfaction levels in the country have declined notably over the last year. This has forced many people to prioritise their mental well-being.
According to Express, a new study has listed the best cities in the world for mental well-being. The study, conducted by The Social Hub, looked at a variety of lifestyle factors when finding Europe’s top cities for mental well-being.
TOP CITIES FOR MENTAL HEALTH
- Copenhagen
- Vienna
- Stockholm
- Oslo
- Amsterdam
- Reykjavik
- Bruges
- Munich
- Hamburg
- Zurich
NORTHERN EUROPE
Scandinavia ranked highly with several cities in the region taking top positions. Three of Scandinavia’s capitals are in the top 5. The capital cities of Denmark, Norway and Sweden rank among the top cities in Europe for mental well-being.
Copenhagen topped the rankings thanks to its low pollution levels, clean air, and high happiness levels. The Danish capital has plenty of walking trails and green spaces to spend time outdoors. Copenhagen is one of Europe’s most bike-friendly cities with nearly 49 percent of its residents using bikes to commute.
The Swedish city of Stockholm grabbed third place on the list due to its high levels of happiness and low levels of pollution. Oslo came in fourth, placing it among Europe’s top five best cities.
SOUTHERN EUROPE
While cities in Northern Europe dominated the list of best places to live for mental well-being; no Spanish, Portuguese, or Italian cities entered the rankings. This is surprising, given that these countries are renowned for their healthy diets and relaxed way of life.
Vienna came in second place on the list and scored highly due to its high levels of happiness and good air quality. Vienna also has a number of beautiful parks and 30 percent of the city’s energy is produced by renewable sources.
Other cities across Europe which also offer residents high levels of contentment and a good state of mental health include Hamburg, Munich, Zurich, Bruges and Reykjavik.
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