What are the dangers of a long commute?


What are the dangers of a long commute? Christopher Fitzgerald, a Cedars-Sinai internal medicine physician, frequently sees patients for issues like high blood pressure, back pain, weight gain, and stress that can be caused or worsened by long commutes.


What is considered too long of a commute?

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 far is too far to commute daily to work?

Commuting from home to work should be less than 50 miles and within 30 minutes, and the surrounding area of your workplace should be within 50 miles of your home. It is ideal for commuters to take at least 5 minutes to commute to work, and the one-way commute should take more than 16 minutes.


How do people feel about commuting?

And in 2022, Gallup found that commutes of just 30 minutes are linked to higher stress and anger. After being able to avoid commuting during the pandemic, even half an hour now feels intolerable for many people.


Is commuting good for your brain?

The dreaded commute to work could be good for your mental health, according to a recent study. Researchers at Wayne State and Rutgers University found that commuting creates a so-called liminal space that allows your brain to switch off and recharge.


Is 2 hours too long to commute?

A 2-hour commute each way means a 15-hour day plus one hour to get up and ready and one hour to relax and eat dinner. That leaves barely 6 hours to sleep which is below the recommended number of hours. After only 3 days this sleep deficiency will deplete yourbgut health and increase your blood pressure.


How do you survive a long commute to work?

Tips to Help You Survive Your Long Commute
  1. Leave 15 minutes earlier. ...
  2. Be strategic. ...
  3. Take control of your environment. ...
  4. Pack snacks. ...
  5. Leave your car at home (if you can) ...
  6. Minimize screen-staring. ...
  7. Keep a regular schedule.


What is an OK commute time?

Commuting from home to work should be less than 50 miles and within 30 minutes, and the surrounding area of your workplace should be within 50 miles of your home. It is ideal for commuters to take at least 5 minutes to commute to work, and the one-way commute should take more than 16 minutes.


What is a healthy commute time?

Commuting from home to work should be less than 50 miles and within 30 minutes, and the surrounding area of your workplace should be within 50 miles of your home. It is ideal for commuters to take at least 5 minutes to commute to work, and the one-way commute should take more than 16 minutes.


Is a shorter commute better?

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 commuting depressing?

Your Risk of Depression and Anxiety Escalate 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.


How far is a normal commute to work?

The average one-way commute for Americans is 27.6 minutes. New York City, NY, has the longest average commute time in the U.S. at 34.7 minutes. Since 1980, the average American commute time has increased by 27% (From 21.7 minutes to 27.6 minutes). The average American commutes 41 miles a day to and from work.


Does a shorter commute make you happier?

Data from the US showed that more time spent on the daily commute was related to higher levels of fatigue and stress during commuting [12]. Clark et al. [9] found that longer commute times were associated with lower job and leisure time satisfaction, increased strain, and poorer mental health.


Why is commuting stressful?

Commuting also has significant psychological and social costs. It can be a major cause of stress, due to its unpredictability and a sense of loss of control. Commuters can experience boredom, social isolation, anger, and frustration from problems like traffic or delays.