We all have to work. At least, most of us do. Working sucks at the best of times – unless you are lucky enough to have your dream job – but commuting to the office sucks a whole lot more. Dealing with heavy traffic, road rage and unreliable cars is enough to drive even the calmest of individuals to distraction.

Millions of people elect to work from home or use public transport to get them to work. Transport companies use fixed-route tools to let riders know when vehicles are due or late, but catching the bus or train isn’t always a painless experience and driving to work is generally viewed as the easiest option if a car is available. Unfortunately, while commuting to work via car has its good points, there are many reasons why it is actually bad for your health, and here are some of them.

It’s Time Consuming

How long does it take you to commute to work? If you are Mr. Average, you can expect to be in your car for around an hour each day. However, some poor unfortunate people are forced to spend up to three hours per day driving to and from work. That is a lot of time to spend driving before and after a taxing day in the office. You will be sitting in a car, often in stationery traffic during rush hour. Nope, it’s no fun at all.

Driving is Stressful

Driving is stressful. No matter how experienced you are, you can’t ever afford to switch off when driving. Clearly, plenty of people do switch off for long periods, but if you are a new driver or the driving conditions are terrible, you need to concentrate. Concentrating for extended periods is mentally taxing, which is why driving is tiring. Even if you listen to the radio or chat to a travel companion, you still need to concentrate. If you don’t, the chances of something bad happening rise very quickly.

Driving is Dangerous

Research has consistently shown that accidents are more likely to occur on familiar routes because we stop concentrating when we know the road well. The same applies to the use of cell phones. Hands-free devices are legal, but the fact is you are still focusing on something other than the road ahead, so your reaction times will be slower.

You also have to take into account other drivers and their bad behavior. You may be a fantastically safe driver, but if some maniac cuts you off or runs a red light at an intersection, it may not end well for either of you.

Sitting Still for Extended Periods of Time

One of the biggest problems with driving for long periods is that you are forced to sit in the same position. If you catch a train to work, you are free to move around if your legs get stiff or the seat is uncomfortable. You can also take a bathroom break if nature calls. Driving is not so flexible. Sure, you can stop the car if necessary, but if your route takes you along a busy freeway for long stretches, stopping on a whim is not always an option.

People who drive regularly are more likely to suffer from back problems and poor cardiovascular health. They are also more likely to be obese. By contrast, men who walk or cycle to the office exhibit much higher levels of fitness and are generally in better health.

Driving is Unsociable

The great thing about catching public transport to the office is that you are thrown together with random strangers day after day. You don’t have to talk to people, but if you feel like being sociable, it sure makes it easier to strike up a conversation. Human beings are sociable animals. We like to talk to each other. Conversation makes the world go round, and the less opportunities you have to interact with your fellow human beings, the more likely you are to suffer from mental health problems.

A Happier Commute

People who walk or cycle to the office are generally much happier. It’s far nicer to enjoy a breath of fresh air as you make your way into work. The same applies to the commute home. Walking or cycling helps your brain unwind and your body de-stress. Both are also good exercise, so not driving to work means you will be fitter as well as happier.

Don’t automatically assume driving is your only option. At the very least you can park a mile or so away and walk the final stretch to work. Go on, give it a go.