Commuting Is Bad For Your Health So Here’s What To Do

commuting bad for health commuter alternatives

Are you tired of commuting? Does just thinking about getting in the car to drive to work stress you out? If so, you are not alone. Commuting is a large source of stress and it is detrimental to your health. 

According to data sourced by Psychology Today, the average American spends 25.4 minutes commuting, but that time varies greatly. Some people living in San Francisco, Washington D.C., and New York spend 90 minutes or more commuting each way. 

It is not hard to see why people grumble and groan about commuting. Working a five-day work week means spending 4.2 hours in traffic at minimum and 15 hours at the most every single week. That is exhausting, wasteful, and it is also bad for your health. Studies have shown the stress of driving to contribute to boredom, anger, social isolation, and frustration. These emotions can significantly decrease your quality of life all around. 

People with long commutes are also more likely to dislike their job. When workers don’t enjoy their job, they are more likely to be unproductive and/or make mistakes due to oversight. This can lead to being written up or fired. 

The good news is there are several ways to combat the stressful effects of driving and cut down on the impact commuting has on your life. Here are 4 smart and healthier alternatives for daily commuters driving themselves to work.

1. Hire A Private Driver Whenever Possible 

One of the best ways to reduce your stress from driving is to hire a private driver whenever possible. The less you drive, the better you will feel. This can include hiring a driver to take you to meetings, events, conferences, and to and from the airport. Booking an airport car service from drvn chauffeur services, for example, is an excellent way to make sure you catch your flight on time without the usual stress of having to navigate your way to and from the airport. 

Whether you fly for business or personal reasons, an airport black car service will be a wonderful experience. You will ride in comfort, the driver will be professional, and you will get to the airport on time. 

This is especially helpful for international flights where you will need significantly more time to go through customs. 

2. Avoid Commuting To Work 

Avoiding commuting to work sounds easier said than done, but it is possible. One way is to request to work remotely at least part-time. Many employers today are happy to have a remote workforce because studies have shown that working remotely improves productivity between 30 and 40%. 

If your employer won’t allow you to work remotely, consider changing jobs and working for a business that operates entirely remotely. Today, it is easier to find fully remote businesses because many were forced into it by the pandemic. 

As a result, businesses discovered how much money is saved by operating remotely and they never went back to the office. 

3. Be Willing To Take A Salary Cut 

Maybe you have been working a high-paying job that you don’t want to leave, but your commute is starting to get cumbersome. Consider taking a pay cut to work for a company that won’t have such a long commute. If you account for the value of your time and the stress that commuting causes, it seems like a good deal to take a pay cut in exchange for less stress. 

In fact, your long commute might be the reason you have never had the energy to start that side business you have been dreaming about launching. When you free up your time by commuting less, you’ll have more time to work on your personal projects and enjoy your free time. 

4. Move 

If taking a pay cut to work closer to home isn’t an option, consider moving closer to where you work. Cut down your commute as much as possible. You may even be able to find a place to live just ten or fifteen minutes away. Hopefully, you are not too attached to the area you live in because this is one of the easiest ways to eliminate your commute. 

Don’t Like Driving? You Have Options 

The more you commute to work, the more your mental health will suffer. If you commute to work every day, consider letting someone else take the wheel whenever possible. 

Whether you take a cab, bus, train, or hire a private driver, each time you let someone else drive, you are supporting a healthier life even when you are busy. It will even help to reduce pollution!

Although it is difficult, it is possible to avoid driving at all costs when you are willing to move to a city designed to support a population that doesn’t drive. You just have to choose the option that works best for your lifestyle and daily needs.

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