Health congestion makes you sick

Researchers warn against health risks of traffic congestion

25/05/2011

Traffic jams are a health hazard, especially for men. This is the result on behalf of the navigation device manufacturer „TomTom“ conducted study„The stress of driving“, investigating the effects of dense traffic and congestion on drivers' stress levels.

Especially in men, the stress level in traffic increases significantly. The current study by the navigation device manufacturer TomTom shows that the stress load caused by dense traffic increases in significantly more men than in women. It threatens serious health consequences, warned study director David Moxon.

60 percent of men stressed in heavy traffic
As part of TomTom's study, David Moxon has analyzed the increase in stress levels associated with dense traffic and congestion using so-called stress markers in the subjects' saliva. The scientist found that the stress level - ie the stress markers in saliva - increased significantly in 8.7 percent of women and 60 percent of men during congestion. Especially in males, dense traffic causes physiological stress on an unhealthy scale, according to the study. The health psychologist David Moxon leads the increased susceptibility to stress of men while driving on evolution-related causes, because the male motorists would constantly to one „Fight or flight behavior“ driven. As a result, their stress levels increase very quickly, especially in dense traffic, often without the affected people even notice, the researchers report.

Stress levels of motorists often go unnoticed
Motorists often do not notice the increased stress in the traffic jam itself. Even if symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle aches and dizziness already occur, more than half of the stressed motorists personally do not feel an increased load. Although the stress markers in saliva clearly showed an increased stress level, 67 percent of women and 50 percent of men said 20 minutes after the trip, not to have been stressed by the heavy traffic at all, the scientists report to David Moxon. According to the experts, the increased stress caused by congestion and heavy traffic is inherently problematic for the health. But that motorists are not aware of this burden could increase the risks even further. After all, drivers who do not notice the stress may expose themselves more frequently than necessary to stressful traffic situations. The sustained release of stress hormones can impair immune function and increase blood pressure and increase blood sugar levels, the experts warn. In addition to the health consequences for those affected, the stressed motorists can sometimes pose a threat to other road users. For stressed drivers are, according to the scientists, more aggressive and sometimes more unpredictable.

Partial distraction to reduce stress
On behalf of TomTom, researchers also scrutinized the methods that motorists use to try to reduce their personal sense of stress. It forms „partial distraction“ Moxon and colleagues said one of the most common and promising ways to deal with increased stress in traffic jams. According to the researchers, 82 percent of drivers use music to combat tension, while 21 percent talk to their co-drivers. Telephoning and eating are also popular methods to reduce the stress on the road. In addition, singing is a great way to lower your personal stress levels, write Moxon and colleagues. This method is used by two thirds of all women. They manage to reduce their stress level significantly by singing, so the result of the current study. Apparently, the men in the traffic jam every now and then should smash a song, so that their stress levels are reduced and health consequences can be avoided long term. (Fp)

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Picture: Grey59