Is a long commute unhealthy?

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.

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 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.

Would having a long commute make you unhappy?

The Swiss study, which drew on 19 years worth of detailed information from Germany, found that people with long commutes had "systematically lower subjective well-being" and less life satisfaction than their non-commuting counterparts. And this effect seems to last over many years.

What are the negative effects of commuting?

“Increased waist measurement in both men and women can be associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus, heart disease and stroke. In this study, even a round-trip commute of 20 miles was associated with higher blood pressure, which is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.”

It's not you. Commuting is bad for your health.

How much commute is too much?

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%

Should I take a job with a long commute?

The prospective company is important to consider, not only for the standing job offer but for potential future career opportunities. A longer commute now might be worth it for the experience you will gain or the doors it will open.

Is a 45 minute commute too long?

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.

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.

Why is commuting exhausting?

If our system is heightened or maxed out for an hour and a half a day, our anxiety level rises, our blood pressure goes up and our heartbeat increases. Not to mention, whether you're in your car in traffic or your bus is delayed, there's usually an element of your commute that you can't control.

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.

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. People tend to be good at weighing their options, economists think.

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 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.

Why is a long commute good?

Many commuters enjoy the time they spend in the car before and after work. For many, it offers an opportunity to relax and mentally prepare for the day ahead. It is also a great opportunity to listen to your favorite music, podcast or radio station before and after work each day as well.

How many miles should you drive a day?

As a general rule, it's safe to drive for no longer than eight hours a day, taking breaks of at least 15 minutes every two hours. This means you can safely drive for around 500 miles, not taking into account external factors such as slowing for tolls, traffic, travelling with children, and tiredness.

How commuting is harming our mental health?

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.

Is a long commute stressful?

Research from around the world is leading psychologists to conclude that the heightened stress that commuting puts on individuals and their families can easily overshadow the work and home gains they might realize. Commuting exacts considerable stress on the human mind and body and on family relationships.

Is 10 miles a long commute?

Studies have confirmed that these commutes, some as short as 10 miles, have numerous detrimental effects on health that include everything from lower happiness to high blood pressure.

What is reasonable distance to travel for work?

Legislation does not define what constitutes a reasonable daily travel distance. This means that there is no legal maximum distance; instead, you should consider the scope of any mobility clause and use common sense, taking into account local traffic or travel conditions based on the additional commute.

Is it better to work close to home?

You will be much more able to working productively. You will get a better night's sleep, be less frustrated about traffic jams, and this will have a positive effect on your productivity. This will naturally lead to greater job satisfaction.

How far does the average person travel for 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.

Should I take a higher paying job with a longer commute?

The hidden psychology of a longer commute

The Harvard Business Review conducted a study to examine this effect. When given the choice between 2 jobs, one making $67,000 with a commute of 50 minutes and one making $64,000 with a commute of 20 minutes, people overwhelmingly chose the job with the longer commute.

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.

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.