The average commute time is anywhere from 22 minutes to 26 minutes. Working professionals who are fortunate enough to have a small commute do not have to worry about going to and from work. However, there is a large number of people who drive over 30 minutes or 60 minutes to work each day. If you are driving a longer amount every day, it could have devastating effects on your health. Here are some of the negative effects of driving over 2 hours each day.
More Likely To Be Obese
Driving for long periods of time could cause you to be overweight. An Australian study showed that people who spend more than 2 hours per day on the road were 78% more likely to be obese. As we know, obesity is linked to many other serious health issues that could affect your longevity. These linked health problems include type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, kidney disease and osteoarthritis. Furthermore, an obesity problem can affect your overall lifestyle in a negative way. Spend less time on the road so that you can keep up with your physical health.
Chronic Back Pain
Spending excessive hours in the car could give you chronic back pain. Due to the hours of constant sitting, your back has to take the stress of being upright. This pressure falls primarily on the lower back. When exerted for multiple hours per day, your back may hurt or have soreness. You may need to stretch or stop to take breaks to deal with back pain. Since the back and spine impact the whole body, this pain could take away from the quality of your life. If your commute is causing back pain, it might be time to consider other options.
Lack Of Proper Sleep
When you are driving over two hours per day, you have less time for activities like sleeping. Many long-distance commuters have to drive earlier in the morning to reach work and will get home later in the evenings. Between family life and daily chores, this can leave less time for sleeping properly during the week. In order to get a full rest and perform at your best, you should be sleeping at least 7-9 hours each night. While some people require less sleep, studies have shown that long commutes can take away from valuable sleep time.
Increased Road Rage
Many commuters who are rushing to work or home can fall victim to road rage. Sometimes, it is an early morning and someone cuts you off. You can speed up and cut them off. Or, you might just say something under your breath. In both cases, your road rage starts to build. This could lead to an accident or speeding ticket. According to Emporia VA Traffic Lawyers, “And when 11 miles per hour can land you a criminal conviction, you need to take the charge seriously.” Instead of having to deal with speeding tickets, court dates and fines, keep your commute within a reasonable distance.
Strained Vision Effects
A long commute could have straining effects on your eyesight. The excessive focus needs while driving could lead to poor vision, irritation or eye fatigue. On top of that, driving in the dark either during the early mornings or late evenings could exacerbate this issue. Of course, you can negatively impact your eyesight by driving intensely for several hours. You could see many of the signs of deteriorating vision. If you cut down your commute time, this can allow you to rest your eyes adequately and stop your vision from worsening over the long term.
There are many negative effects to driving long periods on a daily basis. You could end up becoming overweight or obese, possibly leading to other linked health issues. Secondly, sitting behind the wheel might cause back pain in the lower lumbar area. When you are spending so much time driving, it could affect the amount of sleep you get every night. On top of that, being on the road too long can result in road rage or increased aggression. Additionally, driving every day can strain and worsen your eyesight over time. Considering all the negative effects of driving for long periods, consider finding ways to lower your commute time to less than 30 minutes.
