To think I'd be healthier if I left London

[Eastie77]

I am on half term break with DP and DC in a lovely rural/national park area. I've been for an hour long walk in the forest each morning and feel so much happier and healthier breathing in fresh, clean air. My skin looks better (may be imaging this as we've only been here 3 days but I've been make-up free and think my skin is glowing in pics we've taken).

I'm currently struggling with a post-pregnancy condition and have enrolled on a 12 week home exercise programme to help heal. I was meant to have started 2 weeks but back home had no opportunity whatsoever to begin as am so busy and stressed. I've been able to get up early and do the exercises each morning since arriving here. I've also been able to put into practice the healthy eating plan that is part of the programme.

In London none of this seems possible. I actually think my lifestyle is toxic. Up at 6am to start the crazy morning routine getting DC ready, one to childminder and another to school. Mad rush to work (office is close by bit inconveniently in the opposite direction to DC school). No chance to do a quiet walk. I mean I can walk obviously but I am breathing in fumes and the crappy London air as I do so. Our local council has launched a blueprint to ban traffic outside primary schools which is being copied nationwide and this is great but highlights how bad the pollution is here.

I try to eat healthily but plans often scuppered by staying late in the office so grabbing a takeaway on the way home. Weekends I try to batch cook healthy meals but it all seems too much sometimes. Maybe I'm just disorganised but I can't help thinking if I lived in a cheaper, smaller, quieter place I'd be healthier.

However for various reasons leaving London to live rurally is not an option.

Does anyone else think big city life is undermining their health?

I definitely feel that apart from the obvious pollution, London is brilliant for staying fit. For a start just changing lines on the underground is hard work - the stairs/escalators and the constant rushing around.
And maybe it's where I live now, but I don't know that many people who give a shit about fitness and you don't see as many runners or cyclists as you do in London.
When riding my bike anywhere, people look at me and comment as though they think I have some special super power. Totally bizarre attitude.

Maybe your health would improve but I honestly think your health is directly impacted by your happiness. So, if rural living makes you happy then go for it. However if you are happy in London and only want to move rurally for clean air etc you’d have to weigh up how you’d feel about leaving your current home, friends etc. It may be that you’d feel bored/isolated and that’s far worse than the smog. If you feel rural is more suited to your whole family then you have nothing to lose

I am so much healthier since I moved to London. Commuting means that I do at least 8000 steps a day.

Currently on holiday and we've driven to the seaside and walked along the front and I've only done 5000 steps.

Well I'm back in the Big Smoke now. Literally, since my neighbour has got the BBQ going. Had such a lovely time and I felt so relaxed until we came off the M4 and hit West London.

I can understand people saying you can keep physically fit in London what with all the walking opportunities, running from tube to tube etc. But it really isn't very healthy imo. I can feel the difference in the air quality and I also don't the think the frenzied, hectic pace of life is particularly good for you once you reach a certain stage in life. Perhaps I'm just getting old

I also live in a previously unloved part of London that now attracts hoards of people to its nightlife, bars etc and I've been become extremely intolerant of people in general. I'm definitely old.

Russian - that would be an option although for various reasons we need to stay South East. The commuter belt areas around here that are a bit greener are very expensive.

I agree health is dependent on happiness too so if you’re pining for rural living it might be best

I wouldn’t benefit as much as I know it’s not for me

It’s stupidly easy to stay fit in London - face it, you’re not going to be more motivated anywhere else.

Much more opportunity for walking places and cycling.

Huge variety of sports classes and clubs in convenient places and times.

Lots more healthy food delivery options if you don’t want to cook.

Your issue is you have small children, a busy job and no motivation.

You can always use the weekends to get out camping or something if you crave clean air, which is a problem.

When I lived in London I'd walk or use the bus anywhere I went. Now I jump in the car as it's just too far to walk.
I think I was much healthier in London as I did far more exercise.

When visiting a friend out a bit I was surprised at the lack of pavements which meant everyone drove.

Just get out in a park there’s enough nice air. I think you’re just feeling frazzled with ft work.

We moved from the outskirts of London to be able to drive into a national park within 20 minutes, and I will agree that it certainly is a breath of fresh air. Would we move back. Nope !
But you have to remember it's not all a bed of roses. We have to travel a fair distance for any things like decent shops, restuarants , coffee shops. Our dentist is a 30 miles round trip !
Decide where you are in life, and what is important to you.

Op- you don’t like living in London. MOVE! Life is too short. London suits some people and not others.

I think the people arguing that London is more healthy because they walk more are in denial though. I live in the countryside and when I have been to London the air feels toxic. And it’s a big deal actually.

Most people don’t live in zone 1. Is it really so bad on a quiet street?

I’ve always felt surrounded by nature even here in London

I had a curiosity once and looked at a house in the country, the A road was mega

But I also think move rather than feel like you’re suffering

Easy to move out

I walked much more when I lived in London but I lived more of a party lifestyle eg eating out, drinking.

I live quite rurally now but I hardly ever walk as there is no pavement outside my home and it’s impossible to walk anywhere with the children.

I lead a healthier lifestyle now as in no alcohol, healthy eating, sensible behaviour but that has come with age and family life more than moving out of London I think.

User10 - yes, that is the point I have been trying to make. Everyone is saying you can walk here, there and everywhere. I get that. I was born and raised in London, I've been walking the streets for donkey's years.

The problem is the the air I'm breathing in is extremely toxic. Keeping fit is one thing but all the exercise in the world isn't going to help if your lungs are full of crap.

DD's school was one of the first in our borough to roll out Cleaner Streets which means cars cannot drive past her school during specific hours. They did this because the pollution is so bad some school kids in London are almost choking to death. Taking a brisk walk in a park doesn't really resolve that...

Anyway..I'm just venting. I can't move right now but now the weather is nice we will definitely do our weekend breaks to the countryside, seaside etc.

Just to add today in the outskirts of the national park I live near has been 15° today and I'm currently sat under a blanket on the sofa !

I've developed asthma since living in London, never had it before and never showed any sign of having it. I know what you mean, I sometimes think the same thing.

If I blew my nose at the end of the day when I lived and worked in London, the tissue would be black 😬 that can't be good!