Is commuting to and from work more stressful than the job itself? At best, this stress causes headaches; at worst, it results in serious health problems. It all depends on where and how you commute.

A long era of cheap gasoline, nearly 4 million miles of highways and reasonably priced vehicles led to suburban sprawl. Today many working professionals in America commute, trying desperately to make the most of a less-than-ideal daily inconvenience or nightmare. It isn’t always easy.

Or, as one study put it: Commuters can experience greater stress than fighter pilots going into battle or riot policemen feel.

According to Forbes, the worst places to commute are:

1. Riverside, Calif.;
2. Atlanta, Ga.;
3. Los Angeles, Calif.;
4. Houston, Texas; and
5. Washington, D.C.

The commuters in these areas, and indeed many other metropolitan areas, feel the stress of simultaneously trying to get to work on time while trying to avoid accidents. At best, the stress causes headaches and, at worst, can result in serious health problems.

According to a study conducted at the University of California-Irvine (via ThirdAge.com):

Researchers found that driving alone under stressful conditions can actually cause or contribute to high blood pressure or stroke. According to this study, a long commute (more than 18 miles one way) may increase the likelihood that you will have a heart attack. It’s not only the stress involved that can increase your heart rate and blood pressure, but also the exposure of commuters to high levels of air pollution, which appears to be a risk factor for heart disease.

Also, according to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, “growing congestion in U.S. transportation systems poses a substantial threat to the economy and to the quality of life of millions of Americans. In 2003 alone, congestion in the top 85 U.S. urban areas caused 3.7 billion hours of travel delay and 2.3 billion gallons of wasted fuel, for a total cost of $63 billion.”

Tips to Make the Best of Commuting

If you drive, plan ahead. Try to negotiate with your employer about start times. Customers always come first but if it doesn’t much matter when you start in the day, aim for before or after the time when the highways are most clogged. Also, don’t put off until the morning what you can do the night before. Specifically, check the weather, have your clothes laid out, lunches for any youth, and you, if you take one, made and packed, enough gasoline in the vehicle, backpacks, purses, glasses, keys, brief cases are placed near the door and some nutritious food ready for breakfast. Get enough sleep the night before — many health care providers recommend about 8.5 hours, but this varies with age.

Carpool if you can. Some states have Web sites enabling commuters to share riding and driving to work. This can take a few extra minutes but helps reduce stress, cost (gasoline and vehicle wear and tear) and air pollution. Some cities even offer HOV lanes for carpoolers. Check with your insurance company about liability. Chances are, if you’re not making a profit on carpooling, there’ll be no problem.

If possible, consider taking a train or bus. It may be less expensive when you calculate costs for gas and vehicle replacement. Those who use public transportation can rest, listen to music, read, enjoy puzzles, talk with friends or work with a laptop to pass the time.

Make it fun. If there’s no public transportation, you can still bring your favorite music along for the ride, listen to a book on CD, learn a language or catch up on the news.

Make it kid-friendly. If you can take a bus and have a youngster, prepare for the ride with food, drink and distractions, recommends a blog called Wheel Revolution.

How’s your commute? Have any commuting tips to share?

Resources

Commuters ‘Suffer Extreme Stress’
BBC News, Nov. 30, 2004

America’s Unhealthy Commutes
by Allison Van Dusen
Forbes.com, Nov. 26, 2007

Stressing Out: When Commuting Is Your Life
by Tammy Chernin, R.Ph.
EBSCO Publishing Health Library – ThirdAge.com, 2008

Chapter 4 Reduced Congestion
U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2003

Commuter Benefits
Greater Redmond Transportation Management Association, 2008

Tips for Commuting by Bus with Kids
Wheel Revolution, May 9, 2006