Having face-to-face interaction with coworkers is undoubtedly beneficial for socializing with other people. However, the impact on one's health can vary on the length of commute to work, especially as businesses require their employees to return to either full-time or part-time schedule after spending years of working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A 2022 study by researchers from Stockholm University discovered that a lengthy commute to work is linked to adverse health issues, including reduced physical activity, overweight, and sleep difficulties.
Workplace Location, Length of Commute Affects the Health
Researchers wrote in an article published in the Conversation that commuting to work may be bad for the health, but that also depends on the length and location of the office from home.
The researchers used data from the Swedish Longitudinal Survey of Health for their study, concentrating on waves completed between 2012 and 2018. The researchers then analyzed the replies of around 13,000 people aged 16 to 64 on a variety of topics, including their lifestyle, profession, work-related stress, and pre-existing health issues.
Moreover, the team analyzed the distance between each participant's home and workplace and the socioeconomic status of the areas to comprehend how these factors influence lifestyle habits. The team was able to compare each participant's replies at two separate times by utilizing repeated questionnaires.
The findings indicate that commutes over 3km were correlated with physical inactivity, being overweight, and poor sleep quality. Individuals who commuted over five hours per week while working more than 40 hours were more likely to experience sleep issues and be physically inactive, compared to when they commuted one-to-five hours per week. This may be due to a lack of exercise time or stress that affects sleep.
Furthermore, they discovered that participants who worked in high socioeconomic status areas were more likely to have harmful drinking habits, such as feeling the need to cut down, drinking early in the morning to steady their nerves, or coping with a hangover.
Meanwhile, those who worked near bars were more likely to have harmful drinking habits. Even after accounting for various influencing factors, such as age, chronic disease history, mental health conditions, and occupation, these results were consistent.
Coping Up With Lengthy Commutes
The research did not identify an ideal commuting distance or office location based on the findings, although researchers noted that individuals who commuted 3km or less appeared to be more physically active, as per a similar report in Science Alert. This may be due to the ease of commuting by bicycle or foot or because a shorter commute gave participants time before and after work to exercise.
However, the research does not associate weight, sleep, and drinking habits and commuting distance or office location. Further investigation of these factors is necessary, particularly across different regions of the world.
While the study shows the significant impact that workplace location can have on an individual's lifestyle and health, the research did not explore all the reasons underlying these associations. Future studies should investigate the underlying reasons for these links.
Nonetheless, the research underscores the importance of developing cities that consider various aspects of residential life, such as public transportation, cycling, and walking, to encourage physical activity and maintain a healthy weight.
Additionally, limiting access to alcohol near home and work may help reduce alcohol consumption and the associated health consequences of harmful drinking.
While lengthy commutes can have negative health implications, there are still several measures that individuals can take to minimize their effects. Engaging in active travel where feasible is one approach to incorporating more physical activity into one's day. This can also help maintain a healthy weight while being environmentally friendly.
RELATED ARTICLE: Children Who Commutes to School at a Younger Age Likely to Continue the Habit When They Get Older
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