Working from home has become the norm in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this scary time, the working world has found one positive—no more daily stress from commuting to work every day. Many companies and their employees are now pushing for remote work to expand beyond the pandemic. Commuting to work can be bad for your health due to heightened stress that can lead to physical and mental ailments.
Physical Ailments
Commuting to and from work is associated with numerous physical ailments that can be detrimental to your health, especially for those who have longer commutes, such as an hour each way. Commuters are 21% more likely to be obese since workers typically have a reduced amount of time in their day for physical activity.
Sleep Issues and Bodily Pain
People who commute to work are also more susceptible to sleep deprivation and general aches and pains. These issues stem from individuals having to sit in their cars for a substantial amount of time, alongside having an eight-hour day of sitting in an office.
Increased Stress
Many commuters attribute their stress associated with commuting to work to car accidents, dealing with heavy traffic, and long journeys. In return, this stress can lead to commuters being more likely to suffer from depression. Stress can also be increased due to financial worries associated with the idea that commuters are confined to their long commute out of necessity.
Decreased Time for Socialization
Similar to how commuting to work reduces the time left in the day for physical activities, commuting can also take time away from social interactions with family and friends. Spending quality time with loved ones is imperative to one’s mental health.
Commuting to work can hurt your health by increasing your risk of sustaining mental health problems as well as physical ailments. For this reason, working from home may become the new norm in the future.
