Transcript
The more time you spend getting to and from work, the less likely you are to be satisfied with life, says a new study published in World Leisure Journal. The research reveals exactly why commuting is such a contentment killer - and surprisingly, traffic isn't the only factor involved.
While commuting has long been thought to have some upsides, like providing time to unwind and transition from the workday, the new findings suggest the opposite is true for most people. Lengthy commutes have already been linked to poor mental and physical health, including hypertension, obesity, low energy, and illness-related work absences.
The researchers analyzed data from Statistics Canada to better understand the links between commute time and well-being. They found that on top of being linked to lower life satisfaction, longer travel time is linked to an increased sense of time pressure, which can increase stress levels.
Beyond bad traffic, the researchers found one other factor to be highly correlated with commuters' life satisfaction: physical activity. Physical activity can mitigate commuting-related stress if workers can include it in their daily routines, but the obvious constraint is time scarcity. Longer commutes mean less time for other activities, which leads to lower life satisfaction.
Other factors linked to higher life satisfaction among commuters include flexible work hours and a higher household income. According to the study, women reported higher levels of time pressure, as did those with a partner.
The message to employers is that encouraging flexible work hours, or providing time for physical leisure, can pay dividends in their employees' satisfaction with life. This may not be an easy sell, but it's important to start the conversation.
For workers, it may be better to take a job that pays a little less money but is closer to home. If there is a choice, it's worth looking at the impact of the commute on overall well-being.
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