Blog - Exploring City Health: Düsseldorf

Ever wondered how the city you live in affects your overall health and well-being? Every urban area influences on your health. In this series, I’ll explore how different factors shape health in different cities around the world that I have been to. Every other week, I’ll take a closer look at how a city impacts the daily lives of its residents and tourists through my own experiences, showing the benefits and challenges of that city. As someone who has traveled to nearly 30 countries, I'm excited to share my personal insights and some of my images and videos, to give a more inside and exclusive look at the factors that influence mental health. Today, we’ll explore Düsseldorf, Germany

Düsseldorf is known for its economy and great healthcare systems. The city has many parks and tourist attractions. It's a great place that focuses on physical and mental well-being.

One interesting thing about Düsseldorf is how much European football affects the city. Football is a huge part of German culture and has some of the best teams in the world. Almost everyone living there is so passionate for their club. I’ve been to many matches around Düsseldorf and saw how important it is to the locals. The outcome of a match can really change the mood of the city. When the team wins, everyone is excited and happy, but when they lose, the mood can drop and affect people’s day. This emotional rollercoaster can have real consequences, influencing everything from social interactions to even how productive people are. When one of my German family members favorite team lost, he didn’t want to do anything that day or even go to work. The highs and lows of football show how much sports can impact a community’s mental health.

Schalke 04 vs. St. Pauli 5/7/2022

Dortmund vs. Schalke 04

While living just outside of Dusseldorf, I realized how tight the streets and houses are. There’s not much space for people to enjoy time in their backyards or relax outside after a long days work. In the city center, the building architecture is old and shows many signs of age. There's a big difference between the new and the old parts of the city which makes the old part very unwelcoming and sad looking.

With large seasonal changes, the city’s mood changes a lot. For example, during the summer, the Rhine River has many people gathering around, enjoying the sun. However, in the winter, the river is empty and quiet. There isn't as much to do in the whole city. Everything feels more empty during the colder months.

The city’s streets can make a person have feelings of anxiety, especially for new tourists coming for vacation. I easily kept on getting lost, and I saw the bike lanes were often confusing. Cyclists and pedestrians frequently cross paths, which creates a chaotic and stressful atmosphere.

Düsseldorf has many bars and restaurants that plays a significant role in social interactions. Whether it's grabbing a drink with friends or having a conversation with your family, bars let friends and families connect. The atmosphere of many local pubs creates a great setting for casual conversations. It's a wonderful way to spend time, relax, and enjoy the company of others. Meeting at pubs for football games is a big part of German culture that many people do.

Overall, Düsseldorf has a nice mix of modern and historic aspects. The city focuses on well-being, seen in its parks and pubs. However, there are challenges, like navigating its complicated streets, the mood changes with the seasons, and the highs and lows about football culture, which can affect people's health. In Düsseldorf, people can connect and experience both tradition and progress.