By: Anthony Kane

Everyone in the world has become stressed at one point or another. Oftentimes people don’t realize what the major factors are that are actually stressing them out.

According to a study, conducted by Canada’s University of Waterloo, there is a direct correlation between one’s commute time and their stress levels. The findings, which were published in World Leisure Journal, conclude that people with the longest commutes have the lowest overall satisfaction with life.

The study finds that commute lengths are linked to a sense of time pressure. People who spend the most time commuting experience higher levels of stress because they constantly are under pressure to be on time.

“When you look at Americans’ day-to-day activity … the top two things we hate the most on a day-to-day basis is, No. 1: housework and No. 2: the daily commute in our cars,” said Dan Buettner, in an interview with NPR. “In fact, if you can cut an hourlong commute each way out of your life, it’s the [happiness] equivalent of making up an extra $40,000 a year if you’re at the $50- to $60,000 level. So it’s an easy way for us to get happier. Move closer to your place of work.”

Average commute time in the United States is 24.5 minutes, per trip, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. But commute times in NYC are much longer on average. Totaling 245 minutes spent commuting per week.

According to a report published by The Office of NYC’s Comptroller , NYC residents face the longest time commuting, compared to the nation’s 30 largest cities, spending an average of 6 hours and 18 minutes per week.

“Apparently it’s one of the most significant factors of overall life satisfaction, the direct correlation between the time you spend commuting & your level of content,” said Ilana Brin, a NYC Resident. “I’m a living example, I moved 10 blocks away from work. I got rid of any variable like train delays or cab traffic and it’s been so liberating.”