Is Your Commute Killing You?

According to the U.S. Census, average commute time has been on the rise, from nearly 22 minutes in 1980 to 26 minutes by 2016. But that’s nothing to some of us who spend 1, 2, or even 3 or more hours getting from home to office everyday. Commuting is a major time suck, prompting stress, burdensome logistics, and, some studies show, could contribute to rising blood pressure, a poor sleep schedule, risk for depression, and not to mention, aches and pains.

But most people commute because they have to. They either can’t afford housing in the vicinity of their office, or are bound by family. How do we know when a commute is too long? Is it better to move closer to work, or to get a new job entirely? We say, neither. If you like your job, there are ways to combat the commute and use it for good.

1. Consider mass transportation over driving.

We know—if you have a car, you’re probably going to want to use it. While it’s nice to have that space to yourself, driving can cause a series of adverse effects for you and other drivers. First, while driving, people often get distracted. For those of us with long commutes on boring highways, our minds tend to wander, or worse, completely shut down. Driving while drowsy is just as bad as, if not worse than, driving while drunk. Driving requires all of your attention, and taking mass transportation will allow you to get a few extra minutes of sleep, listen to an audiobook, or do that crossword puzzle. It’s also less expensive and better for the environment, even if you do have to deal with people sitting next to you.

2. If you’re ambitious, ride your bike!

Obviously, if you have highways and bridges to traverse, riding your bike might not be a great idea. Also, heavy sweaters, consider if you have access to a shower. But if your path is fairly straightforward and quick, riding your bike can be a great way to get out extra aggression, increase endorphins, and feel energized before your day in the office even begins. Plus, you can feel free to skip the gym. Business Insider agrees.

3. Make your commute time you-time.

With a little creativity, you can find so many ways to make your commute more fun and exciting. Make it a time for you (within reason—we don’t mean bring a massage therapist on the train next to you). Most importantly, it is not a time you need to be working. Save that for the office, if at all possible. Your commute time should be spent reading a book, watching a show, or doing anything that can take you out of the everyday humdrum of life. Listen to podcasts or write a short story or haiku! The train is your creative oyster.

You commute doesn’t have to be the bane of your daily existence. For more tips on how to make your commute a lot more soothing, check this out!

When two job offers land at once, it’s tempting to pick the bigger number. But salary is only part of what an employer pays you, and benefits can swing an offer’s real value by thousands of dollars. Once you’ve accepted, our guide on how to increase your earning potential in your current role can help

Short answer: AI assistants mention the brands they see described clearly and often, on pages they already trust. To get a D2C brand referenced, make your own site easy to quote, then get covered in the third-party reviews and “best-of” lists the engines cite. Expect it to take 2-3 months of steady coverage, not a

Autopay is one of the easiest ways to avoid late fees, but it isn’t right for every bill. If you’re still working out how much money you should keep in your checking account, it helps to know which payments could pull out more than you expect. Some bills change from month to month, some renew

Side hustles work best when they build on what you already do well, which is why they pair naturally with growing your earning potential in your current role. You’re also far from alone: the Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 8.8 million Americans holding more than one job in 2025. This list skips the “passive income”

Birthday dinners, group trips, concert tickets, weddings. None of them feel huge on their own, but together they can quietly take over your budget. Financial peer pressure rarely looks like someone pushing you to spend. It usually looks like not wanting to be the one who says no, and it’s often amplified by what we

Getting paid more doesn’t always mean switching jobs. Often, the fastest route to a bigger paycheck is learning how to ask for a raise in the role you already have, and backing that request with proof. Here’s when to ask, how much to request, what to say, and what to do if the answer is

Your checking account has one job: paying for everyday life without bounced payments or surprise fees. But keep too much there, and your spare cash earns almost nothing. So how much money should I keep in my checking account? For most people, it’s one month of expenses plus a small buffer. Here’s how to work

Whether you’re looking for a new job or hoping to advance in your current career, earning a certification can be a practical way to build new skills and demonstrate your expertise. As technology and workplace expectations continue to evolve, certifications can also help professionals keep up with in-demand areas such as AI, cloud computing, data

Oh, how far we’ve come! Recently, it was revealed that — finally! — women CEOs at Fortune 500 companies outnumber male CEOs named John. A dubious milestone, but it’s something to celebrate. Though women have come pretty far in society, the progress we’ve made is far from enough. From the pay gap to daily microaggressions,

Trying to cancel your gym membership can be more tiring than actually attending that kickboxing class you keep skipping. Getting out of your gym contract can be so tough that people are going to great lengths to avoid paying any penalties. After going into debt living a lifestyle she couldn’t afford, this woman forged fake