No two marriages are exactly the same. By that same logic, no two divorces ever play out the same. What ruins one relationship doesn’t necessarily cause identical havoc in another. And it’s intriguing to see what unexpected factors increase risks of divorce. For example, did you know a long daily commute intensifies your chances of splitting up?
While it definitely sounds strange at first glance, a Swedish study dug into this subject and found exactly that. They analyzed data collected over a span of ten years, from 1995 through 2005, which showed that long-distance commuters had a much higher rate of separation than non-commuters.
Upon closer examination, this does make a certain amount of sense.
First of all, no one likes a long commute. Sitting in traffic or on a long bus, train, or subway ride is dull—sometimes you just can’t find a song or podcast you want to listen to.
Commutes are also stressful and exhausting. And it means you have less time to spend with your spouse. If you already have tension in your marriage, this heaps additional pressure onto the situation. It can push a relationship closer to the breaking point or lead to distance between partners.
Related Reading: Five Common Costly Divorce Mistakes
What Does This Mean For You?
The big question looming over all of this is: What does it mean for you?
Maybe move closer to work or look for a job near your home. Or at least consider similar measures if your commute causes problems between you and your spouse.
In reality, like most statistics, this means different things for different couples.
Many people commute long distances every day and their marriages don’t suffer. This one factor alone probably won’t doom your relationship. Unless it’s a crazy huge distance.
While there may be an inciting incident, most divorces aren’t the result of a single factor. It’s usually many that pile up over time.
Still, stress and strain from a daily commute may be one issue contributing to a relationship’s decline. You have to look at your own situation to see if it plays a role for you. But it’s one unexpected influence that leads some couples down the road to divorce.
Related Reading: How Complicated Can Divorce Really Become?