It's famous for being one of the most stressful things you can do in life, but moving house can actually be good for your health, according to new research.
The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index asked 1,000 American residents about their sick days, health problems and other symptoms an found that being unhappy with where you live can be bad for your health. For those satisfied with their home's location, the average physical rating was 78, significantly higher than the 69.1 recorded for those unhappy with where they live.
"Those who are satisfied... are less likely to report having experienced physical pain, having health problems, being obese, having headaches, or having ever been diagnosed with asthma or high cholesterol," explains Gallup. "They are also more likely to report feeling well-rested and having enough energy."
"Additionally, adults who say their city is getting better as a place to live are less likely to report having ever been diagnosed with high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol than those who say their city is getting worse as a place to live. However, residents who are satisfied with their city are no less likely to report these three health issues than those who are dissatisfied."
Income, education and ethnicity are already associated with a person's wellbeing, but Gallup argues that this new research suggests that homeowners' perceptions of their communities is equally important when considering their health.
The question is: when are you planning to move?
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