Are long commutes unhealthy?

Are long commutes unhealthy?

Research has linked long commutes to a host of negative health impacts, from increased stress and poorer cardiovascular health to greater pollution exposure. Here, learn how your commute can negatively impact your health, and the simple measures you can take to offset the detrimental effects.

How long is too long for a commute?

Katie Acosta, a director in marketing communications who works for a technology company in the San Francisco Bay Area, has what is considered an extreme commute — defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as taking more than 90 minutes to travel to work, each way.

How far is too far of a commute for work?

Key takeaways. A 30 to 60-minute drive is generally an acceptable distance to travel to work, especially in bigger cities. If your drive to work takes too much time and seriously interferes with your daily life and well-being, then your workplace is indeed too far for you.

Is a long work commute worth it?

Just how bad is a commute on job satisfaction? A study by the University of West England found that adding 20 minutes to your daily commute has the same negative effect on job satisfaction as receiving a 19 percent pay cut. In fact, every extra minute commuting lowered satisfaction with their job and leisure time.

What does commuting do to your body?

‘Most commuters using active transport such as cycling, walking and public transport report greater health benefits,’ Dr Nuttman says. ‘Regular physical activity increases life expectancy and reduces the risk of chronic illness or death, stress, depression and anxiety. ‘

Do long commutes cause depression?

The study also showed that those with a long commute were 33 percent more likely to deal with depression. All that stress also contributed to the physical health issues. While dealing with the anxiety and depression, commuters also struggled with obesity and less sleep.

Is a 1 hour commute normal?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average one-way daily commute for U.S. workers is 25.5 minutes. Shapiro is among the 8 percent of workers who have commutes of an hour or longer. In fact, he’s considered a “mega-commuter” because he commutes at least an hour and a half and 50 miles.

Does commuting make you tired?

It’s no secret researchers believe people who are working long hours and commuting longer distances are too tired to exercise. The stress is causing problems with their sleep.

How far should you live from work?

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.

Is a 90 minute commute too long?

The U.S. Census Bureau defines extreme commuters as workers who travel 90 minutes or more each way to work.

Is a longer commute worth more money?

35 percent of Americans would take a pay cut in exchange for a shorter commute. 20 percent would give up between 1 and 5 percent of their salary for a shorter commute — that’s nearly $2,369, given the median salary in the US. Of those who would take a pay cut, 89 percent would trade up to 20 percent of their salary.

Is it worth driving an hour to work?

If this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, it could very well be worth it. But if this is just another job that you could easily get anywhere else, it might not be. If you decide to go for it, you may want to consider some additional insurance coverage, particularly mechanical breakdown insurance.

Is driving 45 minutes to work worth it?

A 2017 study from the University of the West of England found that “every extra minute of commute time reduces job satisfaction, leisure time satisfaction, and mental health.”

Is it better to live closer to work?

If so, it may be important for you to live close to the office just in case you’re needed. After all, being needed at work for long periods of time and on weekends means you may be making more trips into the office. Having a short commute will cut down on stress and increase productivity.

How many miles does the average person commute to work?

According to data analyzed by Jerry, the average round trip to and from work in the U.S. is over 41 miles a day. The health effects of commuting are serious, but there are strategies to reduce their impact. At the same time, choosing a job that’s closer to home can improve your life more than you might think.

What problems are caused by commuting?

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.

Why is commuting so stressful?

“According to a recent study, the commute can induce stress due to lack of control associated with congestion, crowding and unpredictability, where mood was found to be lower than during other daily activities.