The average commute for German commuters is getting longer and longer. In 2000, the average commute for employees subject to social security contributions was 8.7 kilometres – 14 years later, it had risen to 10.5 kilometres. This shows that employees are willing to travel ever greater distances to get to work.
In Germany, around 59.4 per cent of employees commute to their place of work. Of these, two-thirds travel by car and only 14 per cent rely on public transport. The general consensus regarding journey time is that 60 minutes is acceptable. Housing circumstances play a major role here – the more satisfied a commuter is with their home, the greater their willingness to commute. Furthermore, more men commute than women. However, commuting carries a number of health risks.
Health aspects of commuting
Commuters are under constant time pressure. This is due to traffic jams, train cancellations, delays and overcrowded carriages, but also because the time spent travelling to work is taken out of their leisure time. This inevitably leads to chronic stress, which in turn triggers the release of stress hormones and, in the long term, damages the body. Furthermore, due to the stress and long journey times, many people do not get enough sleep and, in most cases, sleep poorly. In some instances, physical symptoms arise, which are often signs of acute exhaustion syndrome and, in the worst-case scenario, can lead to burnout.
Very often, there is no time for regular visits to the doctor, which further undermines their health. Commuters also frequently have poor dental health, as they do not (or cannot) visit the dentist. They also often suffer from high blood pressure, which can be caused by stress, the anxiety of driving and obesity. Employees with a long commute suffer from exhaustion and stress, which can sometimes lead to a vegetative state. But even without reaching a vegetative state, there is hardly any time for exercise, despite the fact that they are constantly on the move. Car commuters in particular are at high risk of becoming overweight. In addition, eating disorders often occur, as there is no time to eat – either because they are on their way to or from work, or simply because the stress makes them forget.
In recent years, another psychological problem has emerged alongside stress: the fear of acts of aggression, such as terrorist attacks. Of course, the extent to which these health problems manifest themselves varies from person to person. Generally speaking, the risk of developing health problems due to commuting increases when the journey time exceeds 90 minutes.
Car or public transport for a long commute?
Here, too, it is a matter of personal preference as to which mode of travel is considered more comfortable. Furthermore, where you live and where you work play an important role in the decision. If your home has good transport links, then public transport is usually the better option. However, if there are frequent train cancellations or you have to change trains often, commuting by car is quicker.
If you opt to travel by public transport, you can usually relax more and make better use of your time. For example, you can read a book or go through your upcoming presentation one last time. Furthermore, statistically speaking, train passengers are fitter and slimmer than car commuters, as they have to move around more – for example, when changing trains or walking to the station.
Reasons for and against commuting
Many commuters put up with a long journey to work so that they can afford a decent flat. But is the long commute actually worth it financially? Even though the price per square metre is lower outside major cities, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll come out ahead financially by commuting. The high cost of public transport tickets and the price of petrol must be factored in when calculating total expenditure. Furthermore, you need to assess whether the extra time spent is worth the savings. On top of the time involved, there are also traffic jams, delays and train cancellations to consider. It is impossible to make a blanket statement about when it is worth an employee switching to commuting, as many subjective factors come into play.
How can you make your journey to work more pleasant?
The most important thing is not to view your commute as a waste of time, a loss of time or a chore. How you achieve this is ultimately not the key factor and depends on the individual – whether it’s listening to music, reading, knitting, playing on your mobile, listening to podcasts or preparing for meetings and presentations. There are countless possibilities. For example, your commute can also serve as a source of inspiration for your own blog.
If you’re driving, it’s important not to let work-related stress seep into the car, as this greatly increases the risk of an accident. Furthermore – depending on the journey time – regular breaks and healthy eating are important to help you stay focused.
Tips for motorists
As traffic congestion researchers have found that car commuters spend around 58 hours a year in traffic jams, it is extremely important to stay relaxed whilst driving. It’s worth bearing in mind that frantic lane-changing doesn’t get you anywhere. It simply puts you and other drivers under stress and greatly increases the risk of an accident.
It has also been found that driving the same route every day is bad for the brain. Making small, regular changes to your commute can help maintain your alertness and reaction times. You should also try to control your anger at the wheel. The following tips may prove helpful:
- take a deep breath instead of losing your temper straight away
- analyse the situation and think it through
- let off a bit of steam (by letting out a quick shout) and then have a laugh
- Listen to music you enjoy
- Talk to yourself, for example about your plans for the day Go through an upcoming presentation to boost your concentration
Tips
It is proving difficult for your employees to find a suitable solution, as there are hardly any short-term options available. They will either have to consider changing jobs or moving house. One way to make the journey as pleasant as possible is – as already mentioned – to make good use of the time and thus give it a positive meaning. For example, by mentally preparing for meetings or making efficient use of the journey time by taking phone calls in the car (using a hands-free kit, of course) or even by brainstorming.
Another measure that can help your staff is offering flexible working hours, flexitime options or the chance to work from home. Virtual offices are ideal for the latter. This way, you can spare your employees a long commute and look after their health. What’s more, you’ll benefit from higher productivity thanks to your staff being better rested. Furthermore, satisfied employees are more willing to go the extra mile for your company.
Is commuting really that harmful?
There are numerous studies showing that commuting is bad for your health. However, this impact can be mitigated by focusing on the positive aspects, such as the time available during the journey. In principle, however, you should still try to accommodate your staff as much as possible so that they can maintain a good work-life balance. After all, staff who are exhausted and dissatisfied due to long commutes are not sustainable for your business. That said, this must also be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Cover image: © Pexels/Fabrizio Verrecchia
