You can’t always avoid a long commute, but that doesn’t stop it from having negative effects on your health. One study published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine found that long commutes impacted workers’ waist size, body mass index, blood pressure and metabolic scores. Another study found that, even with weekly exercise, those who commuted gained three pounds more than those who didn’t. Rather than driving, consider riding the bus or a train. Using public transit may make commuting less stressful because, instead of focusing on the road, you could relax, sleep or even start working. If public transit isn’t convenient for you, carpooling is another great alternative. Depending on where you live, you may be able to use the carpool lane on the freeways, which are usually less congested.
