Las Vegas First Among Most Stressful U.S. Cities

(CBS)  Should "Sin City" be renamed "Stress City?"

Yes, according to Forbes magazine, which released its ranking of America's Most Stressful Cities this week.

Major metropolitan areas certainly provide residents with access to the fun things in life -- sporting events, good food and culture. But with high unemployment rates, limited access to health care and long work hours, some major cities are just as likely produce increased anxiety levels.

Most tourists flock to Vegas to forget the pressures of daily life and let loose. Ironically, the city's inhabitants happen to live in the most stressful city in America. Las Vegas' 24-hour tourist-based lifestyle requires employees who work round-the-clock. Those inundated with troubles fill the Stress Management Center, complaining that irregular work hours cause tension in their home lives. And while exercise can improve physical health and lower stress levels, the desert heat limits residents' exercise options to indoor activities. In addition, the recession and housing crisis hit Las Vegas' population hard, giving it an unemployment rate of 14.5 percent.

To create its list, Forbes factored in unemployment rates, long commute times, long working hours, limited health care, poor physical health and low exercise rates.

Los Angeles followed Las Vegas, with 22.8 percent of Angelinos reporting less-than-good health, weakening Southern California's reputation for sunshine and healthy living.

Houston, Texas came in third. While the city has a lower unemployment rate than the rest of the U.S. and its residents are relatively healthy, Houstonians work longer than people in any other city on the list, with an average 41.2 hour work week.

Tampa, Fla. and Riverside, Calif. followed at fourth and fifth place, with poor physical health and the second-highest unemployment rate respectively.

[knordal]

All these cities face unique challenges, and the people who live there have to manage a variety of stressors in their daily lives.

In this context, it's important to note that stress is a serious issue that impacts the physical and mental health of people living in cities and towns across the United States. Nearly half of Americans (42%) reported that their stress level increased in 2009, with many reporting that they experienced physical symptoms such as fatigue (43%), headaches (34%) or indigestion (27%) as a result of their stress, according to the American Psychological Association's 2009 Stress in America survey. New trends will be identified with the release of the 2010 Stress in America survey this November.

There are many positive ways that Americans can better manage their stress and care for their mind/body health. The American Psychological Association's Help Center (http://www.apa.org/helpcenter) provides a variety of tools and tips that can help people get on the road to making lasting behavioral changes to reduce stress and live healthier lives.

[surfgal]

Interesting the Las Vegas is Number One, was just there and got that sense from speaking to cab drivers and dealers all over the city. It was hot but that is true for most of the nation during the summer. I work from home on a TrekDesk Treadmill Desk which coincidentally was named recently by Forbes as one of the top office luxury items available anywhere. I walk 8 miles per day on average and at $479 I would not call the TrekDesk a luxury item, but I have found it really keeps me sharp and healthy.

[DougHindman]

Nevada recently passed Michigan with the highest unemployment rate. No job = tremendous stress.

The reason most people are having so much trouble finding a job is the fact that they have been taught the least effective ways to look for a job (online ads, networking, recruiters).

I created a free job search website that shows how to contact key decision maker contacts within companies before the jobs are posted online.

It also contains free resumes, the 50 most frequently asked interview questions, and elevator pitches.

The free website is http://www.Jayobi.com/

I hope this will help you or someone you may know find a great new job!