Physical symptoms range from headaches and backaches to digestive problems and high blood pressure. Mental ills include sleep disturbances, fatigue and concentration problems. Commuters who drive have it especially hard—bad weather, traffic jams and accidents all cause stress.
How does commuting affect mental health?
Studies show that longer commutes lead to decreased job satisfaction and increased risk of mental health issues, while shorter commutes have the opposite effect. Yet, despite a year of working from home, our job satisfaction and general mental health have continued to deteriorate.
Does commuting cause depression?
We found that, on average, every 10 more minutes of commuting time is associated with 0.5% (p = 0.011) higher probability of screening positively for depression. Furthermore, when decomposing commuting time into free-flow time and delay time, we found that delay and not free-flow time, were associated with depression.
What is the problem with commuting?
Commuters also reported higher psychological stress scores, more health complaints, essentially of psychosomatic nature, and greater absenteeism from work due to sickness. Commuting, in addition to shiftwork, further increases sleep problems, psychosomatic complaints and difficulties with family and social life.
Why is commuting so exhausting?
One reason commutes are so stressful, economists say, is the unpredictability and lack of control. Not only are you spending lots of time in your car, but you’re also facing stress when you hit a traffic jam and worry that you’ll be late for work or to pick up your kid.
Is commuting a waste of time?
Every year, commuting motorists spend about 42 hours stuck in traffic. Idling and stop-and-go traffic wastes 19 gallons of gasoline per commuter per year. Traffic delays costs commuters about $960 a year, which adds up to $38,400 over a 40-year career.
Can everyday traffic affect our mental health?
Traffic congestion and noise can cause stress, fatigue, irritability, and rage in commuters.
How long a commute is too long?
The average U.S. commute to work of 26.1 minutes each way looks like a quick trip around the block compared to the travel times posted by extreme commuters. The U.S. Census Bureau defines extreme commuters as workers who travel 90 minutes or more each way to work.
How do you deal with commuting stress?
- Call and connect with others.
- Let go of negative feelings.
- Listen to a podcast or audiobook.
- Don’t get hangry.
- Practice gratitude.
How long is a healthy commute?
Most people don’t want their commute to be too long or too short. It turns out the scientifically determined ideal commute time averages out to be 16 minutes — not long enough to feel like you’re wasting time, but not too short so you can catch up on the news or the latest podcast.
Is it worth commuting 1 hour to work?
The biggest and most obvious advantage of a shorter commute is the time you’ll save. If you’re able to trim off 30 minutes of commuting each way, that’s an hour a day, which saves you 250 hours of time every year (if you work five days per week and have two weeks of vacation).
Is 45 minutes too long of a commute?
Commutes longer than 45 minutes are up 12 percent in that time span, and 90-minute one-way commutes are 64 percent more common than in 1990. The longer your commute, the less time you have for family, friends, exercise and nutrition—and it’s awful for your mental state.
Can a long commute make you sick?
“If you are sitting in a car, train, or bus for long periods of time every workday, you are putting yourself at risk for heart disease, diabetes, and premature death,” he says. Sitting for long periods when traveling can increase the risk for deep venous thrombosis.
Does driving take a toll on your body?
Studies show that driving 10 or more miles a day takes a severe toll on your body — mentally and physically. Time spent behind the wheel can cause anxiety, a rise in blood sugar, increased cholesterol, and a decline in life satisfaction.
Is 2 hours too far to commute?
If your drive to work and back home exceeds 2 hours, then it is definitely too far. This means that your daily commute takes at least 8.3% of your day. Here are a few examples to better illustrate how much of your day you spend driving to work: 1-hour commute = 4.1%
How much is no commute worth?
The average American loses $4,829 from time spent commuting The median salary for US workers in 2019 is roughly $47,372, or $22.78 per hour, assuming a 40-hour workweek for all 52 weeks of the year.
How do you survive an hour long commute?
- Leave 15 minutes earlier.
- Don’t turn your long commute into a drag race.
- Be strategic.
- Tailor your environment.
- Pack snacks.
- Leave your car at home (if you can)
- Minimize screen-staring.
How does traffic affect stress?
Workers who experience traffic congestion for more than three times a week report significantly higher levels of stress than those subject to infrequent congestion. Similarly, those with longer commutes report higher levels of stress than those with shorter commutes.
Why does traffic cause anxiety?
An unexpected traffic jam is an inconvenience for most, but for some, it can cause real anxiety. Anxiety induced by a traffic jam is rooted in your brain’s natural response system, says clinical psychologist Joseph Rock, PsyD.
What are the negative effects of traffic?
Wasted fuel increasing air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions owing to increased idling, acceleration and braking. Wear and tear on vehicles as a result of idling in traffic and frequent acceleration and braking, leading to more frequent repairs and replacements.
What’s the longest commute to work?
Midas sponsored an “America’s Longest Commute” award in 2006. The winner, from Mariposa, California, drove a 372-mile roundtrip (about 7 hours) to and from work in San Jose each day.
How long is the average person’s commute to work?
Highlights from the report include: In 2019, the average one-way commute in the United States increased to a new high of 27.6 minutes. In 2006, the average travel time for the nation was 25.0 minutes. The increase of about 2.6 minutes between 2006 and 2019 represents an increase of about 10% over 14 years.
How far from work should you live?
Thirty minutes at most, according to the wisdom of the crowds. That comes from reams of data and piles of research that suggests commute times tend to cluster around this point. People tend to be good at weighing their options, economists think.
Does active commuting improve psychological wellbeing?
Compared to driving, wellbeing was higher when using active travel or public transport. Use of active travel reduced the likelihood of two specific GHQ12 psychological symptoms. Switching from car driving to active travel improved wellbeing. Wellbeing increased with travel time for walkers, but decreased for drivers.
Which country commutes the most?
- Nigeria. 61.97 minutes. The country that spends the longest time stuck in traffic is Nigeria, with an average commute time of just under 62 minutes (each way!).
- Costa Rica. 60.19 minutes.
- Bangladesh. 57.12 minutes.