Swedish scientists revealed that the ideal distance from home to office is 3 km
Stockholm University calculated how much time employees should spend on the road
People who spend more than five hours a week commuting to work sleep worse and weigh more
Many employees who have long commutes to the office start the day with alcohol to cope with a hangover or stress
It is best to live within a walking or cycling distance from the office
A study conducted by Stockholm University examined the impact of commute length on health. Over the course of five years (2013 to 2018), researchers analysed the health and stress levels of 13,000 individuals in Sweden.
The findings revealed that individuals who spent five hours or more per week commuting to work were more prone to sleep problems and being overweight. Moreover, these employees tended to consume higher amounts of alcohol, often resorting to spirits in the morning to cope with hangovers or stress.
The researchers emphasised that individuals working over 40 hours a week and commuting for more than five hours per week experienced poorer sleep quality and higher body weight compared to those who spent one to five hours commuting weekly.
The combination of stress and lack of time hindered their ability to obtain sufficient sleep and engage in regular exercise. Experts warn that such aspects of the workweek can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and negatively impact employees’ memory.
According to the study, individuals who reside in close proximity to their workplace often choose to commute by bike or on foot, which contributes to their overall health. Based on their observations, Swedish scientists concluded that the ideal distance between home and office for optimal health benefits is no more than 3 km.
