A recent study underscores the importance of urban planning and housing policies that strike a balance between commute times and living space to enhance sleep health among city residents.

Research from Osaka Metropolitan University found that long commutes and small housing sizes are linked to poor sleep quality among Tokyo residents, highlighting the impact of urban living conditions.

The study suggests that making housing choices that consider both location and size could improve sleep health and help reduce economic losses caused by sleep-related issues.

The research was conducted using an online survey that employed stratified random sampling, assessing sleep problems with the Athens Insomnia Scale and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, while calculating commute times based on transportation mode and postal codes.

Assessment tools such as the Athens Insomnia Scale and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale were used to evaluate sleep issues among participants.

The study relied on online surveys and standardized scales to measure sleep disturbances, providing a comprehensive view of sleep health in relation to commuting.

Specifically, for households with 95 square meters of space, exceeding a 52-minute commute was associated with a higher risk of insomnia.

Findings showed that longer commutes and smaller housing sizes are linked to increased insomnia and daytime sleepiness, revealing a trade-off between commute duration and living space.

Even after adjusting for demographic and socioeconomic factors, longer commutes remain significantly associated with sleep disturbances such as insomnia and sleepiness.