DISADVANTAGES OF BEING A COMMUTER AND WHAT THEY CAN DO TO COMPENSATE

Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

A.   Background of the Study

Trains are considered one of the fastest modes of transportation in the Philippines. Compared to taking the bus, taking the train is more convenient especially when you’re in a rush. Although being elbowed and jolted is common since most people prefer this, and most people are always on a rush, and mostly don’t have a choice, it is guaranteed that taking the train can save you more time.

It is also one of the most popular among commuters due to the fact that it can take 560,000 passengers daily from north to south, and vise versa, in half an hour, according to an article entitled “Messed-up Transport System” by Tita Valderama.

Valderama wrote, “The MRT and LRT lines offer rapid transport of passengers from one end to the other. But you cannot expect convenience at the same time, particularly during the morning and early evening rush hours” (http://www.manilatimes.net/messed-up-mass-transport-system/74431/).

Although it is a fact that public transportation causes of air pollution, it is not that main reason for it. It actually is one big of a help in reducing the pollution of the already polluted air that we are used to breathing. More vehicles means more pollution, so that explains that.

The article “Taking the Bus (vs) Compared to Driving a Car” by The Girls says that Carbon Dioxide from bus emits 89g of CO₂ per km while a typical car emits 133g per km (.625 mile). As a result, the average car emits fifty percent (50%) more CO₂ per mile than the bus. The Girls states that a huge automobile population, even when ready with the most up-to-date emissions control, is a main source of air pollution. It would add expansively to CO₂ emissions, generally considered to be a major cause of global warming. 

The Girls wrote, “Between your commuting time from destination A to B, your mood and mental health have possibly improved and you probably formulated a better answer to your problem.” (http://thegirls.hubpages.com/hub/Gas-vs-Bus).

In spite of all the benefits public transportation can offer, the fact that it can relentlessly harm a commuter’s life is reality. Not only can it have physical effects, but also have a negative impact on one’s health, relationships, and mental and emotional stability.

The biggest effects of long commutes to work tend to be personal relationships, stress-related health issues, and work performance. Each person reacts differently when being pulled down. But as studies show, most people react negatively to this. Having to commute everyday makes you feel like nothing's ever worth it. It makes things pointless because you're not satisfied, which leads to crap work. 

Many commuters deal with these problems as if it’s something that is permanent and unfixable. However, having enough knowledge about how public transportation negatively affects one’s life will help commuters balance their commuting and personal lives.

This paper focuses on how commuting affects us, and what we can do to compensate.

B.   Statement of the Problem

This study aims to answer the question:

In what ways can commuting affect us, and what can we do to compensate?

C.   Significance of the Study

Students. Most students would benefit from this study because public transportation is not only a part of their daily routine but also is a factor that affects their performance in school.

Drivers. Without them, public transportation wouldn’t exist. This study will not only help them value road safety, but mostly understand deeper the reason behind every passenger’s behavior.

Regular Commuters. This research paper would be able to help everyone who takes public transportation of all ages, especially those who take it on a daily basis. Moreover, the researcher hopes that pointing out how commuting affects one’s life would help in finding the perfect balance between personal and commuting life.

Future Researchers. This study is essential for researchers to make similar studies since there still seems to be a lack of information with regards to the issue.

D.   Scope and Delimitation

This study focuses on how commuting affects us, and what we can do to compensate.

Due to lack of time and information, this study will no longer discuss how commuting affects the way people interact with other people but rather focus on how it affects oneself. This is for the benefit of one to help and understand him/herself better.

E.   Materials and Methods

Information applicable to the study was gathered from a mixture of reference materials such as books and articles from online resources.

Descriptive research was also used in this study in order to have a deeper understanding towards the effects of commuting in one’s life.

F.    Definition of Terms

1.    Anxiety - a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.

2.    Emission - the production and discharge of something, especially gas or radiation.

3.    Jolted – to push or shake (someone or something) abruptly and roughly.

4.    Procrastination - the action of delaying or postponing something.

CHAPTER 2

DISCUSSION

In what ways can commuting affect us, and what can we do to compensate?

I.              Public Transportation in the Philippines

Choosing to commute over driving a car is beneficial in a way that it can help reduce air pollution. Also, taking the train is considered one of the fastest ways to transport here in the Philippines. It is far more convenient than taking the bus especially to those who are in a hurry. It does not only save mother earth, but also time.

In an article entitled “Messed-up Transport System”, Tita Valderama mentioned that the MRT can acquire 560,000 passengers daily from north to south, and vise versa, in half an hour.

“The MRT and LRT lines offer rapid transport of passengers from one end to the other. But you cannot expect convenience at the same time, particularly during the morning and early evening rush hours”, says Valderama (http://www.manilatimes.net/messed-up-mass-transport-system/74431/).

When you choose to ride the train, you’re forcing yourself inside with half a million other strangers, so the worst should be anticipated. Look forward to being packed liked sardines, and expect not only physical but also emotional and mental wounds.

According to a research by Thomas James Christian of Brown University, it is not the total length of workday that really matters, it is commuting. It is commuting that makes us lonely. It is commuting that causes the stress. It is commuting that makes us eat less healthy. 

"Longer commutes are also associated with an increased likelihood of non-grocery food purchases and substitution into lower intensity exercise activitie." said Thomas James Christian (http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1490117).

II.            How Commuting Affects Oneself

Long commutes do not only give you time to appreciate the beauty of life but mostly give you time to realize a lot of things such as how your life sucks at the moment. Or the fact that you could have been pursuing your dreams but instead, you're tip-toed inside a train, trying not to lose your balance (and temper). It gives you time to think and over-think things.

According to this article entitled, "10 Things Your Commute Does To Your Body", author Carolyn Kylstra stated that commuting during rush hour can result in temporary spikes in stress levels that jack up your blood pressure, even if it's normally stable.

"A study of 4,297 Texans found that the farther the participants lived from where they worked- the longer their commutes- the higher their blood pressure was", said Kylstra (http://time.com/9912/10-things-your-commute-does-to-your-body/).

Commuting really is the problem, and not the people. Commuting is the perpetrator here, and the commuters are the victims, so there really is no reason for me to hate on these people. This all goes to show that these things, sometimes, couldn't be avoided. And the only way to at least lessen the stress of being packed like sardines is to just calm down, and be kind. Because you're not the only victim here. There are 260,000 other people sharing the same feelings and discomforts as you. 

Might as well try to make the most out of your trip; it's easier, and it's for the best. Who knows, that guy you just bumped into might end up being the one you'd be spending the rest of your life with. Again, smoking could lead to lung cancer, but not all smokers get the disease. There are a lot of nice people in the world, what better way to find them than being one, right? Stop focusing on the negatives and try to see things in a different way.

In an article entitled, "It's Official: Commuting To Work Makes You Miserable", where author Matt Chorley stated that, well, commuting to work makes you miserable! The title says it all, but Chorley also said that commuters have lower life satisfaction and lower levels of happiness, and are most likely to suffer from higher levels of anxiety. This, I guess, explains all the crankiness and stuff.

"In general, all commuters are less satisfied with life, have a lower sense that their daily activities are worthwhile, are less happy, and have higher anxiety than those who don't commute.", said Chorley (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2557564/Its-official-Commuting-work-makes-miserable-spending-half-hour-bus-worst-way-travel.html).

A.           Relationships

Marital dissatisfaction is determined by many things that are far more important. You could be in the exact situation but that doesn't mean that that's the only reason for your falling marriage. Smoking can cause lung cancer, but that doesn't mean that all smokers get the disease. 

In an article entitled, "Your Commute Can Improve Your Relationship", author Robert S. Wyer stated that couples who travel in the same direction are more positive about each other than those who don't. 

"People who commuted in the same direction as their husbands or wives were happier with their relationships than people who didn't. We think that's because moving in a similar direction symbolizes the pursuit of similar goal.", said Wyer. (http://hbr.org/2012/11/your-commute-can-improve-your-relationship/ar/1).

When your commute is shorter, it gives you less time for travel and more for family. And time is the glue that holds relationships together. Long commutes take away time- that is lost forever, for our loved ones. So if you were asked to choose between a job that's farther but pays higher and a job that's nearer but pays lower, think hard about the trade-off between money and time for your family. You might find it hard to let the opportunity go, but you will always regret the time with your loved ones that slipped away. 

According to this article, "Could A Shorter Commute Save Your Relationship?", author Dharmesh Shah explained that shorter commutes could actually help in improving or basically maintaining your relationship. 

"Long commutes are stressful, especially when heavy traffic and frequent delays are involved. It's hard for anyone to walk in the door happy when they've done everything but play bumper cars on the freeway for an hour.", said Shah (https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20131002171552-658789-could-a-shorter-commute-save-your-marriage).

B.           Health

There's nothing wrong with being fat. You might look a few pounds heavier than you should and I'd still treat you like a normal person. What's wrong is being unhealthy, and long commutes cause unhealthiness.

In an article by Malcolm Farr, it is explained that advertising influences the type of food we eat and that overseas studies have found that unhealthy foods are most likely to appear in these advertisements.

“This being the case, advertising is likely to have played a role in the current obesity epidemic... Furthermore, targeted advertising of unhealthy foods may entrench and even increase existing socio-economic inequalities in the prevalence of obesity.” says Farr (http://www.news.com.au/finance/work/how-suburban-commuters-are-coaxed-into-unhealthy-eating-habits/story-fnkgbb6w-1227089160388).

So, ads don't only make you fat, they also keep you from having a healthy lifestyle. They have the power to keep those who are already overweight overweight for the rest of their lives. Advertisements play a big role in our community. They make people want something they don't need in the first place, and promise them the good things without mentioning the bad things. 

It is stressful to think of the long day ahead, but working out in the morning conditions your body and helps you relieve stress before the day even starts. Don't get discouraged once you hit the snooze button a few times, because once you get the workout you planned for that day, it won't matter! A few minutes of moving around is always better than none.

In the article entitled "How to Keep a Long Commute from Wrecking Your Healthy Habits", Jillian Leo recommends morning workouts because it does not only energize you for the long day ahead, but also guarantees you to fit it into your day.

"Even though sometimes I feel like crying when my alarm goes off at 4:45 AM, I always feel so much better after a workout. Exercising in the morning will give you the energy you need to get through the day. " she adds (http://www.sparkpeople.com/blog/blog.asp?post=how_to_keep_a_long_commute_from_wrecking_your_healthy_habits).

C.           Performance at Work/School

The biggest effects of long commutes to work tend to be personal relationships, stress-related health issues, and work performance.

Although there are a countless number of good things about being a commuter, there are also challenges that come from having that extra time away from school. In the article entitled, "Being a Commuter: Pros and Cons" by La Vie, it was explained that being away from college life sometimes makes getting into the homework mind harder than it should.  

"I’ve realized with the amount of stuff I have going on there are times when I don’t do the homework as well as I know I could. You also don’t always have the luxury and time to meet up with your professors if you do have a homework question." says La Vie (http://www2.lvc.edu/lavie/2012/04/30/being-a-commuter-pros-and-cons/).

In a study by the Office for National Statistics looking at commuting and personal well-being, commuters are more likely to be anxious, and feel that their daily activities lack meaning than those who don’t have to travel to work even if they are paid more. They also found out that each additional minute of commuting makes you feel slighting worse.

"Those making long bus journeys to work of more than 30 minutes had lower life satisfaction, a lower sense that daily activities are worthwhile, lower happiness levels and higher anxiety;" the ONS says (http://office%20for%20national%20statistics%20looking%20at%20commuting%20and%20personal%20wellbeing./).

According to the article "Effects of Long Commutes to Work" by Jeff Durham, a long hour of commuting is associated with increase in blood pressure, increased anger and resentment at work, and tardiness. 

"Many companies are installing gyms or handing out free gym memberships which have been popular with those who face stiffness after a long commute to work and a quick workout not only reduces that but also stimulates and refreshes the brain as well as the body." says Durham (http://www.safeworkers.co.uk/effectsoflongcommutestowork.html).

In the same article, Durham mentioned that although many companies have begun to realize the damage that long commutes can do to their employees and have become more open to accepting more flexible working patterns which allows them to work from home now and again, or even completely, for some jobs, there's no escaping the long commutes.

III.           Conclusion

Based on the data gathered, the researcher concludes that long commutes can, in fact, negatively affect a person. Not only does it change the way once interacts with other people, but mostly the way he/she deal with his/her daily life. In some cases, long commutes trigger one’s unhealthiness, be it physically, work, or relationship-wise.

Also, these disadvantages are mostly acquired by those commute regularly; it also depends on the length of your commute, as well as the route you are taking. It is sad but true, that most Filipinos don’t really have a choice but to take public transportation which is why these effects are not very uncommon.

But it doesn’t just end there. Although some might think that these can actually ruin somebody’s life- which is mostly true- these can also be a way of testing our ability to solve problems. Of course, it cannot be avoided, so there must be a solution. Actually, there are a lot of solutions. If we could just try, then we would be able to balance our commuting and personal lives.

CHAPTER III

Summary

This paper attempts to find out how commuting affects us, and what we can do to compensate. This study will finish off on what a commuter can do in order to improve or maintain their personal lives in spite of the effects of long commutes.

Observational research method was used in this paper in which the data from all the articles and documents gathered online were used to answer the questions that are posted. The research findings are the following:

1.    A long hour of commuting is associated with increase in blood pressure, increased anger and resentment at work, and tardiness. 

2.    Commuting during rush hour can result in temporary spikes in stress levels that jack up your blood pressure, even if it's normally stable.

3.    Road advertisements influence the type of food commuters eat and overseas studies have found that unhealthy foods are most likely to appear in these advertisements.

4.    Each additional minute of commuting makes commuters feel slighting worse.

Conclusion

Based on the findings of this study, the following conclusions are drawn:

1.    Commuters are more likely to be anxious, and feel that their daily activities lack meaning than those who don’t have to travel to work even if they are paid more.

2.    Commuters have lower life satisfaction and lower levels of happiness, and are most likely to suffer from higher levels of anxiety.

3.    Long commutes can cause obesity, and other eating disorders.

4.    Couples who travel in the same direction are more positive about each other than those who don't. 

Recommendations

After drawing the conclusion of the study, the researcher hereby make the following recommendations:

1.    Morning workouts should be considered because it does not only energize you for the long day ahead, but also guarantees you to fit it into your day. This will not only exercise your physical body, but also your mind.

2.    When in a relationship where both parties are commuters, the other may have to take a job closer to home, especially if they have kids. Say, the male takes a job with a long commute, it limits his partner's job scenario to a minor geographic area which may mean she has a less fulfilling career and is forced to think an even bigger role in raising the kids and taking care of the home.

3. When given a choice, think hard about the exchange between time and money (or job title or whatever the bait is.) If nothing else, think of it this way: There’s a great chance you might regret the opportunity that slipped away, but you will always be sorry for the time with your loved ones that was gone.

References

A. Electronic Media

Chorley, Matt (2014) It's Official: Commuting To Work Makes You Miserable Retrieved on: October 20, 2014 from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2557564/Its-official-Commuting-work-makes-miserable-spending-half-hour-bus-worst-way-travel.html.

Christian, Thomas James (2009) Opportunity Costs Surrounding Exercise and Dietary Behaviors: Quantifying Trade-offs Between Commuting Time and Health-Related Activities. Retrieved on: October 2, 2014 from http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=10117.

Durham, Jeff (2014) Effects of Long Commutes to Work Retrieved on: November 1, 2014 from http://www.safeworkers.co.uk/effectsoflongcommutestowork.html.

La Vie (2012) Being a Commuter: Pros and Cons Retrieved on: November 3, 2014 from http://www2.lvc.edu/lavie/2012/04/30/being-a-commuter-pros-and-cons/.

Leo, Jillian (2014) How to Keep a Long Commute from Wrecking Your Healthy Habits Retrieved on: November 3, 2014 from http://www.sparkpeople.com/blog/blog.asp?post=how_to_keep_a_long_commute_from_wrecking_your_healthy_habits.

Shah, Dharmesh (2010) Could A Shorter Commute Save Your Relationship? Retrieved on: October 16, 2014 from https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20131002171552-658789-could-a-shorter-commute-save-your-marriage.

Wyer, Robert S. (2012) Your Commute Can Improve Your Relationship Retrieved on: October 16, 2014 from http://hbr.org/2012/11/your-commute-can-improve-your-relationship/ar/1.

DISADVANTAGES OF BEING A COMMUTER AND WHAT THEY CAN DO TO COMPENSATE

Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

A.    Background of the Study

Trains are considered one of the fastest modes of transportation in the Philippines. Compared to taking the bus, taking the train is more convenient especially when you’re in a rush. Although being elbowed and jolted is common since most people prefer this, and most people are always on a rush, and mostly don’t have a choice, it is guaranteed that taking the train can save you more time.

It is also one of the most popular among commuters due to the fact that it can take 560,000 passengers daily from north to south, and vise versa, in half an hour, according to an article entitled “Messed-up Transport System” by Tita Valderama.

Valderama wrote, “The MRT and LRT lines offer rapid transport of passengers from one end to the other. But you cannot expect convenience at the same time, particularly during the morning and early evening rush hours” (http://www.manilatimes.net/messed-up-mass-transport-system/74431/).

Although it is a fact that public transportation causes of air pollution, it is not that main reason for it. It actually is one big of a help in reducing the pollution of the already polluted air that we are used to breathing. More vehicles means more pollution, so that explains that.

The article “Taking the Bus (vs) Compared to Driving a Car” by The Girls says that Carbon Dioxide from bus emits 89g of CO₂ per km while a typical car emits 133g per km (.625 mile). As a result, the average car emits fifty percent (50%) more CO₂ per mile than the bus. The Girls states that a huge automobile population, even when ready with the most up-to-date emissions control, is a main source of air pollution. It would add expansively to CO₂ emissions, generally considered to be a major cause of global warming. 

The Girls wrote, “Between your commuting time from destination A to B, your mood and mental health have possibly improved and you probably formulated a better answer to your problem.” (http://thegirls.hubpages.com/hub/Gas-vs-Bus).

In spite of all the benefits public transportation can offer, the fact that it can relentlessly harm a commuter’s life is reality. Not only can it have physical effects, but also have a negative impact on one’s health, relationships, and mental and emotional stability.

The biggest effects of long commutes to work tend to be personal relationships, stress-related health issues, and work performance. Each person reacts differently when being pulled down. But as studies show, most people react negatively to this. Having to commute everyday makes you feel like nothing's ever worth it. It makes things pointless because you're not satisfied, which leads to crap work. 

Many commuters deal with these problems as if it’s something that is permanent and unfixable. However, having enough knowledge about how public transportation negatively affects one’s life will help commuters balance their commuting and personal lives.

This paper focuses on how commuting affects us, and what we can do to compensate.

B.     Statement of the Problem

This study aims to answer the question:

In what ways can commuting affect us, and what can we do to compensate?

C.    Significance of the Study

Students. Most students would benefit from this study because public transportation is not only a part of their daily routine but also is a factor that affects their performance in school.

Drivers. Without them, public transportation wouldn’t exist. This study will not only help them value road safety, but mostly understand deeper the reason behind every passenger’s behavior.

Regular Commuters. This research paper would be able to help everyone who takes public transportation of all ages, especially those who take it on a daily basis. Moreover, the researcher hopes that pointing out how commuting affects one’s life would help in finding the perfect balance between personal and commuting life.

Future Researchers. This study is essential for researchers to make similar studies since there still seems to be a lack of information with regards to the issue.

D.    Scope and Delimitation

This study focuses on how commuting affects us, and what we can do to compensate.

Due to lack of time and information, this study will no longer discuss how commuting affects the way people interact with other people but rather focus on how it affects oneself. This is for the benefit of one to help and understand him/herself better.

E.     Materials and Methods

Information applicable to the study was gathered from a mixture of reference materials such as books and articles from online resources.

Descriptive research was also used in this study in order to have a deeper understanding towards the effects of commuting in one’s life.

F.     Definition of Terms

1.      Anxiety - a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.

2.      Emission - the production and discharge of something, especially gas or radiation.

3.      Jolted – to push or shake (someone or something) abruptly and roughly.

4.      Procrastination - the action of delaying or postponing something.

CHAPTER 2

DISCUSSION

In what ways can commuting affect us, and what can we do to compensate?

I.                   Public Transportation in the Philippines

Choosing to commute over driving a car is beneficial in a way that it can help reduce air pollution. Also, taking the train is considered one of the fastest ways to transport here in the Philippines. It is far more convenient than taking the bus especially to those who are in a hurry. It does not only save mother earth, but also time.

In an article entitled “Messed-up Transport System”, Tita Valderama mentioned that the MRT can acquire 560,000 passengers daily from north to south, and vise versa, in half an hour.

“The MRT and LRT lines offer rapid transport of passengers from one end to the other. But you cannot expect convenience at the same time, particularly during the morning and early evening rush hours”, says Valderama (http://www.manilatimes.net/messed-up-mass-transport-system/74431/).

When you choose to ride the train, you’re forcing yourself inside with half a million other strangers, so the worst should be anticipated. Look forward to being packed liked sardines, and expect not only physical but also emotional and mental wounds.

According to a research by Thomas James Christian of Brown University, it is not the total length of workday that really matters, it is commuting. It is commuting that makes us lonely. It is commuting that causes the stress. It is commuting that makes us eat less healthy. 

"Longer commutes are also associated with an increased likelihood of non-grocery food purchases and substitution into lower intensity exercise activitie." said Thomas James Christian (http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1490117).

II.                How Commuting Affects Oneself

Long commutes do not only give you time to appreciate the beauty of life but mostly give you time to realize a lot of things such as how your life sucks at the moment. Or the fact that you could have been pursuing your dreams but instead, you're tip-toed inside a train, trying not to lose your balance (and temper). It gives you time to think and over-think things.

According to this article entitled, "10 Things Your Commute Does To Your Body", author Carolyn Kylstra stated that commuting during rush hour can result in temporary spikes in stress levels that jack up your blood pressure, even if it's normally stable.

"A study of 4,297 Texans found that the farther the participants lived from where they worked- the longer their commutes- the higher their blood pressure was", said Kylstra (http://time.com/9912/10-things-your-commute-does-to-your-body/).

Commuting really is the problem, and not the people. Commuting is the perpetrator here, and the commuters are the victims, so there really is no reason for me to hate on these people. This all goes to show that these things, sometimes, couldn't be avoided. And the only way to at least lessen the stress of being packed like sardines is to just calm down, and be kind. Because you're not the only victim here. There are 260,000 other people sharing the same feelings and discomforts as you. 

Might as well try to make the most out of your trip; it's easier, and it's for the best. Who knows, that guy you just bumped into might end up being the one you'd be spending the rest of your life with. Again, smoking could lead to lung cancer, but not all smokers get the disease. There are a lot of nice people in the world, what better way to find them than being one, right? Stop focusing on the negatives and try to see things in a different way.

In an article entitled, "It's Official: Commuting To Work Makes You Miserable", where author Matt Chorley stated that, well, commuting to work makes you miserable! The title says it all, but Chorley also said that commuters have lower life satisfaction and lower levels of happiness, and are most likely to suffer from higher levels of anxiety. This, I guess, explains all the crankiness and stuff.

"In general, all commuters are less satisfied with life, have a lower sense that their daily activities are worthwhile, are less happy, and have higher anxiety than those who don't commute.", said Chorley (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2557564/Its-official-Commuting-work-makes-miserable-spending-half-hour-bus-worst-way-travel.html).

A.                Relationships

Marital dissatisfaction is determined by many things that are far more important. You could be in the exact situation but that doesn't mean that that's the only reason for your falling marriage. Smoking can cause lung cancer, but that doesn't mean that all smokers get the disease. 

In an article entitled, "Your Commute Can Improve Your Relationship", author Robert S. Wyer stated that couples who travel in the same direction are more positive about each other than those who don't. 

"People who commuted in the same direction as their husbands or wives were happier with their relationships than people who didn't. We think that's because moving in a similar direction symbolizes the pursuit of similar goal.", said Wyer. (http://hbr.org/2012/11/your-commute-can-improve-your-relationship/ar/1).

When your commute is shorter, it gives you less time for travel and more for family. And time is the glue that holds relationships together. Long commutes take away time- that is lost forever, for our loved ones. So if you were asked to choose between a job that's farther but pays higher and a job that's nearer but pays lower, think hard about the trade-off between money and time for your family. You might find it hard to let the opportunity go, but you will always regret the time with your loved ones that slipped away. 

According to this article, "Could A Shorter Commute Save Your Relationship?", author Dharmesh Shah explained that shorter commutes could actually help in improving or basically maintaining your relationship. 

"Long commutes are stressful, especially when heavy traffic and frequent delays are involved. It's hard for anyone to walk in the door happy when they've done everything but play bumper cars on the freeway for an hour.", said Shah (https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20131002171552-658789-could-a-shorter-commute-save-your-marriage).

B.                 Health

There's nothing wrong with being fat. You might look a few pounds heavier than you should and I'd still treat you like a normal person. What's wrong is being unhealthy, and long commutes cause unhealthiness.

In an article by Malcolm Farr, it is explained that advertising influences the type of food we eat and that overseas studies have found that unhealthy foods are most likely to appear in these advertisements.

“This being the case, advertising is likely to have played a role in the current obesity epidemic... Furthermore, targeted advertising of unhealthy foods may entrench and even increase existing socio-economic inequalities in the prevalence of obesity.” says Farr (http://www.news.com.au/finance/work/how-suburban-commuters-are-coaxed-into-unhealthy-eating-habits/story-fnkgbb6w-1227089160388).

So, ads don't only make you fat, they also keep you from having a healthy lifestyle. They have the power to keep those who are already overweight overweight for the rest of their lives. Advertisements play a big role in our community. They make people want something they don't need in the first place, and promise them the good things without mentioning the bad things. 

It is stressful to think of the long day ahead, but working out in the morning conditions your body and helps you relieve stress before the day even starts. Don't get discouraged once you hit the snooze button a few times, because once you get the workout you planned for that day, it won't matter! A few minutes of moving around is always better than none.

In the article entitled "How to Keep a Long Commute from Wrecking Your Healthy Habits", Jillian Leo recommends morning workouts because it does not only energize you for the long day ahead, but also guarantees you to fit it into your day.

"Even though sometimes I feel like crying when my alarm goes off at 4:45 AM, I always feel so much better after a workout. Exercising in the morning will give you the energy you need to get through the day. " she adds (http://www.sparkpeople.com/blog/blog.asp?post=how_to_keep_a_long_commute_from_wrecking_your_healthy_habits).

C.                Performance at Work/School

The biggest effects of long commutes to work tend to be personal relationships, stress-related health issues, and work performance.

Although there are a countless number of good things about being a commuter, there are also challenges that come from having that extra time away from school. In the article entitled, "Being a Commuter: Pros and Cons" by La Vie, it was explained that being away from college life sometimes makes getting into the homework mind harder than it should.  

"I’ve realized with the amount of stuff I have going on there are times when I don’t do the homework as well as I know I could. You also don’t always have the luxury and time to meet up with your professors if you do have a homework question." says La Vie (http://www2.lvc.edu/lavie/2012/04/30/being-a-commuter-pros-and-cons/).

In a study by the Office for National Statistics looking at commuting and personal well-being, commuters are more likely to be anxious, and feel that their daily activities lack meaning than those who don’t have to travel to work even if they are paid more. They also found out that each additional minute of commuting makes you feel slighting worse.

"Those making long bus journeys to work of more than 30 minutes had lower life satisfaction, a lower sense that daily activities are worthwhile, lower happiness levels and higher anxiety;" the ONS says (http://office%20for%20national%20statistics%20looking%20at%20commuting%20and%20personal%20wellbeing./).

According to the article "Effects of Long Commutes to Work" by Jeff Durham, a long hour of commuting is associated with increase in blood pressure, increased anger and resentment at work, and tardiness. 

"Many companies are installing gyms or handing out free gym memberships which have been popular with those who face stiffness after a long commute to work and a quick workout not only reduces that but also stimulates and refreshes the brain as well as the body." says  Durham (http://www.safeworkers.co.uk/effectsoflongcommutestowork.html).

In the same article, Durham mentioned that although many companies have begun to realize the damage that long commutes can do to their employees and have become more open to accepting more flexible working patterns which allows them to work from home now and again, or even completely, for some jobs, there's no escaping the long commutes.

III.             Conclusion

Based on the data gathered, the researcher concludes that long commutes can, in fact, negatively affect a person. Not only does it change the way once interacts with other people, but mostly the way he/she deal with his/her daily life. In some cases, long commutes trigger one’s unhealthiness, be it physically, work, or relationship-wise.

Also, these disadvantages are mostly acquired by those commute regularly; it also depends on the length of your commute, as well as the route you are taking. It is sad but true, that most Filipinos don’t really have a choice but to take public transportation which is why these effects are not very uncommon.

But it doesn’t just end there. Although some might think that these can actually ruin somebody’s life- which is mostly true- these can also be a way of testing our ability to solve problems. Of course, it cannot be avoided, so there must be a solution. Actually, there are a lot of solutions. If we could just try, then we would be able to balance our commuting and personal lives.

CHAPTER III

Summary

This paper attempts to find out how commuting affects us, and what we can do to compensate. This study will finish off on what a commuter can do in order to improve or maintain their personal lives in spite of the effects of long commutes.

Observational research method was used in this paper in which the data from all the articles and documents gathered online were used to answer the questions that are posted. The research findings are the following:

1.      A long hour of commuting is associated with increase in blood pressure, increased anger and resentment at work, and tardiness. 

2.      Commuting during rush hour can result in temporary spikes in stress levels that jack up your blood pressure, even if it's normally stable.

3.      Road advertisements influence the type of food commuters eat and overseas studies have found that unhealthy foods are most likely to appear in these advertisements.

4.      Each additional minute of commuting makes commuters feel slighting worse.

Conclusion

Based on the findings of this study, the following conclusions are drawn:

1.      Commuters are more likely to be anxious, and feel that their daily activities lack meaning than those who don’t have to travel to work even if they are paid more.

2.      Commuters have lower life satisfaction and lower levels of happiness, and are most likely to suffer from higher levels of anxiety.

3.      Long commutes can cause obesity, and other eating disorders.

4.      Couples who travel in the same direction are more positive about each other than those who don't. 

Recommendations

After drawing the conclusion of the study, the researcher hereby make the following recommendations:

1.    Morning workouts should be considered because it does not only energize you for the long day ahead, but also guarantees you to fit it into your day. This will not only exercise your physical body, but also your mind.

2.    When in a relationship where both parties are commuters, the other may have to take a job closer to home, especially if they have kids. Say, the male takes a job with a long commute, it limits his partner's job scenario to a minor geographic area which may mean she has a less fulfilling career and is forced to think an even bigger role in raising the kids and taking care of the home.

3.    When given a choice, think hard about the exchange between time and money (or job title or whatever the bait is.) If nothing else, think of it this way: There’s a great chance you might regret the opportunity that slipped away, but you will always be sorry for the time with your loved ones that was gone.

4.    Taking the same route as your husband or wife should be considered because according to studies, people who commuted in the same direction as their partners were happier with their relationships than people those who didn’t. That is because we think that moving in a similar direction symbolizes the pursuit of similar goals.