Road Congestion: A Health and Productivity Stifler

truppr
truppr
Nov 4 · 3 min read

The bustling city of Lagos and other major cities around the world record a huge lag time because of road congestion with a direct relationship to the stress index of an average commuter.

According to S.B Raheem(2015), congestion results when traffic demands exceed the capacity of the road system.

In Lagos, continuous rainfall makes road use more tedious because of damaged roads, insensitive drivers and broken-down cars.

This has led to a race against time as commuters find saner avenues to beat all forms of traffic congestion.

Research shows that constant interactions with traffic congestion shoot stress levels to the roof thereby reducing optimal health and productivity. Beyond the consequences of arriving late at a destination, commuters should be more conscious of the health hazard this malady poses.

Truppr’s survey, Wellness in the workplace highlighted the effect of long commute time on employees’ productivity and health.

Check out the effect of traffic congestion on one’s health and productivity

Mental Stress

Being stuck in traffic is mentally draining. It is probably the last thing anyone wants to face on a trip to the office or at the close of work.

In beating traffic, we make several unwarranted decisions that can welcome anxiety and if this occurs repeatedly can lead to anxiety disorder.

Recurrent exposure to stressful commute may lead to depression. Click to tweet

Productivity is hampered due to the frustrations experienced by the on-road commute. This reduces the output quality of the employee.

Overall health

Traffic congestion increases your sitting time and enhances a sedentary lifestyle.

Staying long on the road makes you uncomfortable and tired. It weakens your body muscles and makes you experience body aches. It gets worse if you sit in the wrong posture.

Long commute depletes your overall health. It bites into your sleep and exercise time. Sleep deprivation makes you heavy-eyed, and lack of exercise lowers your resistance to diseases and the ability to work efficiently.

Managing this crisis:

Regulating traffic is a wider societal issue, you can make a few adjustments that can limit the effect on your health.

  1. Minimize driving time: the driver gets more tensed than the passengers in a traffic situation. Use alternate means of transport like pairing up with a colleague and taking driving turns, using ride-hailing services, hiring a driver and walking or riding a bicycle.
  2. Practising meditation while commuting can help you develop focus and create calm. You will arrive at the office refreshed and ready for the day.
  3. Always check the traffic map for the fastest route before you get on the road.
  4. Utilize the option of working remotely when necessary.
  5. Use the stairs and stretch on getting to the office to tackle the long sitting effects like disc damage, strained neck and swayed back.

Implementing these small changes into your daily life may help in dealing with the ill-effects of traffic congestion on your well-being.

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