Good topic, OP. I just turned fifty recently and I'm commuting from Pacific to Eastern and back again obviously. I honestly don't stress the commute at all. So, aside from the lack of sleep if I choose to catch a mid-afternoon flight which arrives at 2200ish in base for an earlier show the following day, I don't feel like it has any effect at all. I'm probably taking a year or two off the back end by spending so much time at altitude and breathing bleed air. It really boils down to management for me. I'lll always have a place of my own in my base whether an investment property or a rental. And I diligently keep an eye on weather. I plan out my trips based on loads the day before. In eleven years I've never once used a commuter clause or had to call off sick because I was stuck and couldn't get back. The only stressful commute I've ever had was at the hands of a notorius Capt. at a certain West Coast airline who flat out refuses to carry jumpseaters. Even his own. So what should have been a 2145 arrival turned into a ten hour airport sit, followed by a redeye, then a second flight instead of my usual direct, followed by a shower and some packing and a long day at work. Thanks brother! I really enjoyed that experience.

One other thing about me is I eat very healthy and love sports. I'm an active outdoorsman and get a well above average amount of cardiovascular fitness training per week along with at least a couple of strength training sessions. I'm certain that that helps with stress and dampening the physiological and memtal effects of a long commite.