Millions of people use their car commuting to and from work every day. For most, this daily routine is not the most enjoyable part of the day. Long commute and its risks are obvious. There are significant future health repercussions.
Commuting often takes away a lot of time, especially in highly populated cities. Even if you only commute by car for 45 minutes or less daily, you are still exposed to the negative aspects of it.
Driving can be a long, uncomfortable, and stressful experience
Pollution, stress, and lack of time for physical activity are just some of the reasons why driving is the worst commuting choice you can make.
This article will help you understand the harmful health effects of commuting by car.
Pollution During Long Commute and its risks
The quality of air during traffic hours is very low. The longer you commute, the more you are exposed to the detrimental consequences of vehicle fumes.
A study shows that fifty percent of all inhaled harmful fumes, in cities, is inhaled during driving. Many damaging elements are released into the air we breathe as a result of fuel combustion. Poisons and carcinogens such as carbon monoxide, benzene, sulfur dioxide, formaldehyde, and soot are all found in exhaust fumes.
The long-term inhalation of these chemicals can cause symptoms such as dizziness, headache, nausea, blurred vision, and loss of consciousness.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can result in death
Long commute and its risks of constant exposure to traffic pollution gases are also associated with an increased danger of lung cancer.
Obesity
A sedentary lifestyle is one of the main causes of the obesity epidemic we are witnessing in recent years. Most people do not move enough to use up all the energy they take in through food during the day.
Driving is the most inactive method of commuting because it takes you from your doorstep to the workplace with the least amount of physical activity involved. In combination with a bad diet (e.g. fast food, snacks, sweets, sodas, etc.), spending several hours in your car every day can get you on the road to obesity in no time.
Obesity is one of the leading risk factors for many serious diseases, such as:
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Stroke
- High Blood Pressure
- Heart Disease
- Kidney Disease
- Fatty Liver
- Pregnancy complications
- Cancer
Long Commute and its risks for our Stress Levels
Your experiences in traffic largely depends on the decisions and the behavior of others. This can often result in stress and nervousness when you are aggravated by the drivers around you. Getting cut off, screaming people, excessive use of the horns, fire trucks, police sirens blasting through the highway, semi-truck drivers moving into your line, etc.
Then, there are those endless traffic jams. Occurring mostly during the morning and the evening rush hours. For many commuters, traffic jams are an everyday event, taking as long as two hours or more.
As we all know, driving bumper-to-bumper requires a great deal of attention and calm. But it doesn’t matter how we look at it, driving in traffic is a stressful situation, especially if you are in a rush.
Additionally, scientists acknowledge an increase in stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline under these daily driving circumstances.
These constant hormonal fluctuations can harm your health, in the long run. Frequent exposure to stress is associated with an increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. It can also cause trouble with sleeping; make you feel exhausted and unable to focus on your work.
Neck and Back Pain
Sitting for longer periods of time is detrimental. Humans are not meant to sit for too long. Too much sitting is associated with a lot of physical damages, like pain in the neck, discomfort in our spine and hips. Varicose veins and muscle wasting are also associated with sitting.
No matter how comfortable your car seat is, sitting for many hours every day will result in some health problems, and probably sooner than later.
The Final Word
The daily commute is a normal part of life for many people around the world. It is an activity that can both improve and damage your health. This is because walking and cycling do not have the same health effects as driving to work. Whenever you can, try to use a healthier commuting option. It will help you to make the most of your time and give your health a welcomed boost. Stay away as much as possible from a long commute and its risks. Find alternative ways.
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