In a study, healthy men were asked to use crutches and not put weight on their legs. Within 48 hours, oxidative stress increased, DNA repair decreased, insulin response decreased and metabolic activity decreased. Put simply, there was tissue damage.

And these changes persisted even after the inactivity ended.

This means that conditions such as diabetes are more likely to occur. In addition, various respiratory illnesses due to exposure to pollution can occur, leading ultimately to a possible shortening of lifespan.

If you have long hours of travel, either daily to work or occasional flights, this is a matter for concern. If you are considering a job involving a long commute, think long and hard.

Every extra hour of travel ‘needs’ a 40% raise of salary to ‘justify’ the risk. Which of course in never justifiable.

A commute longer tan 45 minutes was implicated in a 40% rise in divorce rates, in a Swedish study.

Try to travel during non-peak hours, or work from home twice a week.