Photos by Star Sabroso
It’s not true that “traffic is not fatal.” On the contrary, the daily grind of commuting to work and back home especially in Metro Manila brings with it numerous health hazards due to the pollution that permeates the air. Much earlier, Environment Secretary Ramon Paje had admitted that traffic is choking people to death, with various studies linking air pollution to several health problems.
A report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says that as of 2010, the transport sector accounts for 27 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions all over the world – and by 2050, the number could double. In the Philippines, several studies show that vehicular emissions are responsible for 30 percent of air pollution in the Philippines but in Metro Manila, the number is as high as 90 percent.
With the holidays now over, it’s back to the harness for everyone, with commuting an everyday reality that Filipinos have to endure every day. Not many people know however that the daily grind of commuting-to-work-and-back-home (regardless of whether you drive a vehicle or take public transportation) can have a serious impact on one’s overall health and wellness.
Makati Medical Center, the Philippines’ premier healthcare facility, gives the lowdown on what people need to know and what can be done to offset the damage.
Blood pressure spikes. Traveling during rush hour, especially with the nightmarish traffic congestion experienced by those working in Metro Manila, can result in temporary spikes in stress levels that jack up even a normally stable blood pressure.
Dr. Donna G. de Padua of MakatiMed’s Emergency Department says that “Rushing to work or a meeting and getting trapped in a gridlock can cause anxiety, stress and an ill temper.”
A possible solution, she says, is to leave well before rush hour. For sure, this is a hassle but one that may be worth doing rather than constantly feeling anxious for every passing second that traffic remains unmoving. So to prevent the stress from escalating, do some breathing exercises to calm yourself down, Dr. De Padua says.
It’s a pain in the neck, and the back – literally. Ongoing neck and back pain are some of the most common health complaints of commuters. The long periods of sitting slumped forward on the train, bus, or in the driver’s seat can contribute to this condition. “Make an effort to sit up straight, with your head evenly over your shoulders,” Dr. De Padua advises. “Maintaining good posture lessens the strain on your muscles and improves your self-image. It helps to do slow stretches in the morning before your day starts and at intervals during the day, especially if you have been seated for a long time.”
Lack of zzzs. People who go on long commutes report lower sleep quality and more exhaustion. “Today’s digitally driven world requires us to be ‘on’ all the time – checking emails or fielding calls,” shares the good doctor. “Regardless of your commuter status, it would be good to use the time spent in transit to turn ‘off’ for a bit, and recharge. You can do so by having a quick nap on a long commute. If you’re driving, you can listen to music or podcasts, or something equally relaxing and soothing.”
It’s a factor in weight gain. Sad but true, it isn’t surprising that people who spend the longest time commuting are also the ones least likely to get a decent amount of physical activity because so much time is wasted seated in vehicles. “Make a bigger effort to be active during the day instead,” says Dr. De Padua.
Its also advisable to take walking breaks and making the effort to get up from the desk every now and then doing some stretching exercises. If you are physically able and can walk to the bus terminal, then by all means do so, instead of taking a jeep. Walking will help burn calories, so one option is to park your car further so you have a longer walk to and from your office. And most important of all, find the time to exercise regularly.
For more information, contact MakatiMed On-Call at 888-8999, email [email protected], or visit www.makatimed.net.ph.