Pros And Cons Of A Long Commute

Unless you’re one of those lucky women who can work from home or lives within walking distance of her workplace, you likely spend a great amount of time simply getting to work. While this can be inconvenient, commuting is something the majority of the working population has fit into their lifestyle.

Whether you’re traveling via public transport or your own vehicle, there are pros and cons to a long commute. Let’s take a look at some of these in case you are considering a job change.

The Cons (Challenges)

While there are indeed pros to a long commute (which we’ll outline below), the cons can stack up quickly. And, even if you know you can handle it, there’ll be at least one thing about the commute that you don’t like. 

It Wastes Time

You have to spend eight-plus hours at your job, but if you have a long commute, count on your workday stretching by, in some cases, as much as two hours. And it’s easy to understand why this situation could be viewed as a waste of time. Many women consider this time too precious and simply cannot sacrifice it. 

It Costs More Money

It’s a fact that working is necessary to earn money and live the life that we want. That said, a long commute can actually take a good portion of those earnings. First of all, if you’re driving, you’ll need a car and to maintain it properly. Secondly, there’s the matter of fuel costs. You’ll also find that car insurance is calculated partially by how much you drive.

Greater Chance of an Accident

The more time you spend behind the wheel, the greater the risk is to be involved in an accident. This is true at all times during the day, but the risk is even greater when you’re driving during rush hour periods to and from a city. If you do get in an accident, the costs can be unimaginable for medical bills, an injury lawyer, loss wages, etc.  

There Are Health Concerns

There are numerous health issues that can arise from a long commute. It has been shown to negatively impact mental health. Stress, anxiety, and mood changes can cumulate over time and actually cause problems for drivers with long commutes.

There are also physical challenges, too. As a society, we all spend much more time than we should do sitting down. You’ll be rolling out of bed, sitting behind the wheel, and then sitting at a desk, only to do the reverse to get home. This extra time in the car can mean less time to engage in physical activity, which can lead to serious health complications further down the line.

The Pros (Benefits)

With all those cons above, let’s take a look at the benefits to a long commute. They do, indeed, exist, they just take a little mindfulness to bring them to the forefront. 

Good for Thinking

One of the unintended benefits of a long commute is that it gives you time to think and regroup. This can be most helpful for those of us who have stressful lives at home and need some downtime. After all, many people love to go for a drive when they have things to think through. You can use your commute to do the same. Indeed, you might just find that some of your best ideas and moments of clarity come when you’re driving. 

Learn Something New

A long commute can be made much more productive by taking the initiative to learn something new. There are countless outstanding podcasts that cover just about every topic under the sun. Additionally, audiobooks, seminars, and courses can all be accessed and utilized while on a long commute. For example, if you have ever wanted to learn a new language, a long commute would be the perfect time to do it!

Better Opportunities

Many women find expanded opportunities by looking outside their communities. This can be especially true if you live in a rural or suburban area. Being willing to commute to the city or a more commercial area can definitely bring better pay, benefits, and opportunity for future advancement.