The Impacts of Commuting on Mental Health and Well Being

The daily commute, a daily aspect of modern working life, extends beyond a mere travel routine. It encompasses a complex interplay of psychological, physical, and social dimensions, significantly impacting our health and well-being.

The Psychological Stress of Commuting: A study in Britain highlighted a gender disparity in the psychological stress caused by commuting, particularly affecting women with preschool children more severely than their male counterparts. However, commuting can also offer benefits such as alone time, which can be utilized for personal development or relaxation.

The Physical Health Implications: Extended periods in cars have been associated with increases in obesity and blood pressure, linked to the stressors of traffic congestion. Contrarily, active commuting modes like walking or cycling present significant health advantages, reducing cardiovascular risk by 11 percent, with a more pronounced effect on women.

Active Commuting and Well-being: Research indicates that psychological well-being, including happiness and concentration, is higher among those who engage in active commuting compared to car drivers. Interestingly, for walkers, longer commute times can enhance well-being, a stark contrast to drivers, where extended durations have the opposite effect.

Flexibility and Control in Commuting: While driving to work can offer a sense of control and flexibility, it also entails challenges like increased boredom, social isolation, and stress. In contrast, public transport users, despite facing lower satisfaction levels, tend to be physically healthier due to the additional walking involved in their commute.

Strategies for a Healthier Commute:

1. Combat Boredom: Engage in enjoyable activities during your commute, such as listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks.
2. Embrace Unpredictability: Accepting the unpredictable nature of commuting can help reduce stress and frustration.
3. Acknowledge Lack of Control: Recognize that many aspects of commuting are beyond individual control, such as traffic or public transport schedules.
4. Set Daily Intentions: Use your commute time to set intentions for the day ahead and reflect on your day during the journey home.
5. Integrate Active Commuting: Whenever possible, incorporate walking or cycling into your commute to enhance physical and mental well-being.

For further reading on this topic;

https://www.sciencealert.com/massive-study-finds-a-link-between-commuting-and-poor-mental-health

https://this.deakin.edu.au/self-improvement/how-a-long-commute-to-work-affects-your-health-and-wellbeing