Taking public transport instead of driving to work makes people happier, study suggests
Walking to the bus stop or station and then relaxing while travelling appears to help to make people feel better
Taking public transport instead of driving to work appears to make people happier and helps them to sleep better, according to a new study.
Researchers reported that car commuters were 13 per cent more likely to feel they were under constant strain or unable to concentrate.
It is thought that the exercise taken to walk to the bus stop or station and then the relaxation while travelling helps to make people feel better. A previous study found switching from a car to public transport helped people lose weight and become healthier physically.
Join Independent Minds
For exclusive articles, events and an advertising-free read for just £5.99 €6.99 $9.99 a month
Academics from the University of East Anglia studied 18,000 workers in the UK for the research, which was published in the journal, Preventive Medicine.
Lead researcher Adam Martin told The Daily Telegraph: “One surprising finding was that commuters reported feeling better when travelling by public transport, compared to driving. You might think that things like disruption to services or crowds of commuters might have been a cause of considerable stress.
“But as buses and trains also give people time to relax, read, socialise and there is usually an associated walk to the bus stop or railway station, it appears to cheer people up.”
He added that improvements to public transport, including improving cycling, could actually have “noticeable mental health benefits.”
The journal article said: “These results appear to suggest that avoiding car driving may be beneficial to well-being.
“This view complements existing evidence of a negative association between driving and physical health and is consistent with the hypothesis that car driving, a non-passive travel mode that requires constant concentration, can give rise to boredom, social isolation and stress.
“However this view is also consistent with the hypothesis that intrinsic enjoyment is gained from the exercise or relaxation associated with active travel.”
Comments
Share your thoughts and debate the big issues
Please be respectful when making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines.
You can find our Community Guidelines in full here.
Please be respectful when making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines.
Community Guidelines
You can find our Community Guidelines in full here.
Follow comments
Vote
Report Comment
Subscribe to Independent Minds to debate the big issues
Want to discuss real-world problems, be involved in the most engaging discussions and hear from the journalists? Try Independent Minds free for 14 days.
Already registered? Log inReport Comment
Delete Comment
Subscribe to Independent Minds to debate the big issues
Want to discuss real-world problems, be involved in the most engaging discussions and hear from the journalists? Try Independent Minds free for 14 days.
Already registered? Log inAbout The Independent commenting
Independent Minds Comments can be posted by members of our membership scheme, Independent Minds. It allows our most engaged readers to debate the big issues, share their own experiences, discuss real-world solutions, and more. Our journalists will try to respond by joining the threads when they can to create a true meeting of independent minds. The most insightful comments on all subjects will be published daily in dedicated articles. You can also choose to be emailed when someone replies to your comment.
The existing Open Comments threads will continue to exist for those who do not subscribe to Independent Minds. Due to the sheer scale of this comment community, we are not able to give each post the same level of attention, but we have preserved this area in the interests of open debate. Please continue to respect all commenters and create constructive debates.