By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    learn to recognize and treat yeast infections
    Most Commonly Asked Questions About Yeast Infections
    November 17, 2021
    Advanced lung cancer diagnosis systems used by doctors
    Advanced Lung Cancer Diagnosis Systems Used by Doctors
    March 6, 2022
    The Top Benefits of a Wearable Blood Pressure Monitor Watch
    The Top Benefits of a Wearable Blood Pressure Monitor Watch
    June 13, 2022
    Latest News
    7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
    August 20, 2025
    Hospital Pest Control and the Fight Against Superbugs
    August 20, 2025
    Hygiene Beyond The Clinic: Attention To Overlooked Non-Clinical Spaces
    August 13, 2025
    5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
    August 3, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Life Expectancies and Lethal Injections
    May 6, 2015
    The Future of Healthcare and Big Pharma is in Big Data Analytics
    February 5, 2021
    Financial Assistance for Clinical Trials
    September 16, 2015
    Latest News
    How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
    August 22, 2025
    How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
    August 22, 2025
    How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
    August 22, 2025
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Do you know the health impacts of driving for too long? Find out now
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Health > Do you know the health impacts of driving for too long? Find out now
Health

Do you know the health impacts of driving for too long? Find out now

Kristel Staci
Kristel Staci
Share
8 Min Read
SHARE

Driving to work, hanging out with friends, taking trips around town; all these can be fun things to do. But you know what isn’t fun? Spending hours in the driver’s seat.

Ask anyone who drives, and I bet we can all agree driving for long hours fatigues the body. But besides those instant aches we feel, do you know there are other health impacts associated, too? I doubt you do. Anyways, that’s what you’re about to find out in this article. So, let’s get started.

Health impacts of driving for too long

More Read

According to airmasterspro, indoor air quality refers to the condition of the air within buildings and its impact on the health and comfort of occupants.
Breathing Easy: The Impact of Air Conditioning on Indoor Air Quality and Health
The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
How to Use CPAP BATTERIES to Deal with Sleep Apnea
Why Genetic Testing Could Change Your Life
7 Benefits of Optimal Testosterone Levels
  1. Blood sugar level rises

According to studies published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, driving more than 10 miles(one-way) can cause one’s blood sugar levels to rise.

You might wonder what the connection between blood sugar and driving is. Well, the connection comes from the way we sit while we drive. When we drive, we put the body in an unconventional posture, exerting too much pressure on the spine, preventing the central nervous system from communicating properly with the rest of the body.

Unfortunately, an increase in blood sugar levels is a recipe for diabetes and pre-diabetes.

  • Anxiety levels increase

It is common knowledge that people who commute very often every day experience higher levels of stress and anxiety than people who don’t commute at all.

If you’re guilty of driving for too long in one go, then you should know that you’re at risk of stress and anxiety.

While it may seem like there isn’t anything you can do to cut short your daily commute, try to find ways to achieve your routine without necessarily spending too long on the road.

I, for one, hate driving too much. So, what I do is that I always search for the nearest places/spots for whatever I need to do. For example, if I need to find the best hair salons in an unfamiliar environment, I’d simply use a local search tool to find one within a trekkable distance rather than get in the car and start driving around town.

  • Cholesterol level rises

I know the last thing anybody wants to hear is anything that has to do with cholesterol. But, here’s the shocker. Those 10-mile one-way trips you love to embark on are actually the recipe for increased cholesterol levels. And as you may well know, increased cholesterol simply means increased chances of catching heart-related diseases.

The connection between cholesterol and driving comes from the bodily stress and strain that accompanies long-distance trips.

  • Blood pressure rises

Driving for too long, especially during rush hours, can cause a spike in your blood pressure.

How? Someone may ask.

Well, the fact you’re trying to beat the traffic, get to your destination early, and possibly achieve these over a long-distance trip can cause your heart rate to jack up at intervals, leading to higher blood pump and pressure.

Obviously, I don’t think you need reminding all the health threats associated with high blood pressure. We talking heart failure, blood vessel damage, vision loss, stroke, kidney disease; should I continue?

  • Fatigue

Sitting behind the wheels for long hours chasing appointments, making deliveries, hooking up with friends, or embarking on long-distance travels are all factors contributing to being fatigued at the wheel. Unfortunately, fatigue is one thing you don’t want to creep in because, according to estimates, over 20% of fatal crashes are caused by fatigue.

I, personally, usually get plenty of rest before driving on a long trip. Say I start my trip, and along the line, feelings of fatigue creep in on me, I stop. Pullover and take a walk, get an energy drink, or even a breath of fresh air alone does the refreshing magic.

  • Prolonged exposure to pollution

Air quality is another risk involved in long-distance driving. When you sit inside the car, you think you are safe from the external pollution. Well, the fact is a little bit petrifying.

The air inside the vehicle can be 10x worse than the air outside, especially when one is caught in a traffic jam. The level of pollution inside is often worse because cars take in emission from vehicles around and circulate it inside the vehicle.

According to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average adult breathes an estimated 3,000 gallons of air daily. You tend to inhale hundreds of gallons of pollutant-choked air when you commute for about two hours a day. And these can worsen emphysema, asthma, and other lung-related diseases one may have.

The quality of the air we breathe is essential because many people now put on protective facemasks for longer periods than in previous years.

Imagine wearing a nose mask inside a vehicle for as long as five hours without pulling over to get a breath of fresh air, and you think you’re safe. Well, sorry to break it to you, you aren’t.

  • Backaches

Whether you are a passenger or a driver, we cannot deny the negative consequences of spending hours slouched over in a car seat. Your posture and back suffer it. Commuters are more likely to report aches and neck pains.

  • Reduced cardiovascular fitness

We can all agree that driving involves less physical activity, right? Now imagine doing this for a long period – daily, weekly. People who drive for too long have lower levels of physical activity and cardiovascular fitness. Maintaining a healthy blood flow and weight is vital for heart health. Sitting for long periods lowers your cardiovascular fitness and puts you at risk of heart-related diseases and even blood clots too.

Conclusion

The longer the hours spent driving, the greater the risk of being in an accident. This can be due to multiple factors such as distracted driving, speeding, weather conditions, and other drivers.

Whether it’s part of your daily commute or your job, driving for too long can have long-term and short-term effects on your health. Driving fatigue, lack of physical activity, air pollution, etc., can lead to a shortage of oxygen levels in the body, resulting in headaches, fatigue, and dizziness.

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

engineer fitting prosthetic arm
How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
Health care
August 20, 2025
a woman explaining the document
How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
Public Health
August 20, 2025
physiotherapist at work
How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
Health care
August 20, 2025
Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs
7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
Health News
August 20, 2025

You Might also Like

Adrenal Fatigue
Health

Adrenal Fatigue Treatment: 10 Natural Ways to Treat Adrenal Fatigue

March 26, 2025
medical malpractice
MedicarePolicy & Law

5 Things to Do If You Suspect Medical Malpractice

May 14, 2024
whiplash injury
Health

Common Symptoms of Whiplash You Can’t Ignore

September 10, 2024
What To Consider When Seeking IV Therapy
Health

What To Consider When Seeking IV Therapy

June 9, 2022
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?