Five Ways Your Commute Could Be Killing You

Many people who chose to live in our part of South Jersey did so knowing that they would have to travel a longer distance to work for the privilege. 

Sure, it would be easier to live closer to the job in the city, but home is here.

So they commute. Most commuters aren't happy about it, but they do it... sometimes for years. Often that drive is an hour or more, each way, each day, and that's before allowing for traffic.

If you think all that driving is hard on your car, you should consider how hard it is on your body.

The New York Times recently published a report on health problems long commutes can cause.  "Commuting's Hidden Costs" should certainty give long-distance commuters pause, but what I found surprising is how short a distance is considered too far, when it comes to effecting your body.

Here are five ways your commute could be killing you...

1. High blood pressure: A study found a direct connection between the length of someone's commute and their blood pressure. The farther workers have to travel, the higher their blood pressure. Generally speaking, researchers found that the danger point was a commute of 10 miles, one-way.

2. High blood sugar and cholesterol: A study found that folks who commute more than 10 miles one way had higher levels of blood sugar and cholesterol than people with easier commutes.

3. Depression and anxiety: Researchers also found that long commutes have a negative influence on a person's mood. Depression and anxiety not only take away quality of life, but can also shorten lifespans.

4. Exhaustion and sleep deprivation: A study found that the farther a worker lives from their place of employment, the greater chance they have of suffering from exhaustion, lack of sleep, and sickness.

5. Obesity: Every study found that longer commutes mean larger waistlines.

Tell me about your commute.  How long is it and what kind of toll does the commute take on you?  Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.