Can my commute really affect my health and happiness? Yes, and more than you think. The evidence on painful commuting is ugly. Sitting in heavy city traffic day after day raises your cortisol, wears on your systems, and there is even research suggesting it can shorten your lifespan. It is not the sitting that hurts you, it is the stress of being stuck with no control. Now I am not saying every drive is bad. A quiet country road alone can be genuinely pleasant and good for you. The damage comes from grinding through congestion you cannot escape. So treat your [...]