Gary R. Collins reports some interesting findings about the American lifestyle. Would you agree that this phenomenon is even more prominent among single adults?
Living in America can make you sick. That’s the conclusion of a research-based article in Monitor on Psychology (April 2007). Despite record amounts spent on health care, Americans have higher rates of sickness than other Western nations. Two factors are especially toxic.
First, compared to most other developed nations, Americans work longer hours, take fewer vacations, and more often have two jobs. This increases stress and undermines health.
Second, Americans live in an isolated nation. We are mobile people who make frequent moves leaving friends and family behind. After work every day we withdraw into our houses, have few contacts with neighbors and a decreasing network of confidants.
Overachieving parents run their kids from activity to activity so everybody is tired and there is no time for relaxing with friends. When we teach children to excel and seek material success, they jump on the activity wheel even at the expense of healthy lifestyles and social interactions.
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