Make the most of your daily commute with these seven quick tips
Commuting. Does anyone really enjoy it? The daily commute can be one of the most stressful ways to start – and finish – your day. One 2022 study, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, exploring the effects of commuting time on quality of life, found that the longer our commutes, the lower our satisfaction with work and life. But what if we could use our commute more effectively, turning it from something we dread, into the chance to look after ourselves?
Here are seven quick ways you can take care of your mental health during your daily commute.
Come prepared.
Plan ahead and get things ready to help make your morning commute go smoothly. Always running late? Get your bags packed, outfit ready, and everything you need by the door. Need a morning caffeine boost, but don’t have the time to queue up? Set out your travel mug ready to help speed things up in the morning. Ensuring you have had enough sleep and a nutritionally balanced breakfast can also help you to start your morning travels in a better headspace – which can make any unforeseen changes that little bit easier to navigate.
Practise mindfulness.
Mindfulness is a tool that can help you to become more self-aware, calmer, and more in control of your responses to thoughts and feelings, as well as reducing feelings of stress. Regularly practising mindfulness can not only improve attention and concentration, but can even help our relationships. Switch doomscrolling on the tube for focusing on the moment, being aware of your surroundings, and how you feel. Or try an audio-guided meditation to help you feel more present, relaxed, and ready for the day.
Learn something new and build a great habit.
How often do we find ourselves saying, ‘If only I had more time, I would…’ Your commute offers the perfect opportunity to develop positive habits each and every day, during a dedicated time you are guaranteed to have. Why not try learning a new language, listening to a podcast, or if you’re taking the train or bus, starting a short online course? Learning new skills can help improve your brain health, memory, and increase your sense of happiness.
Switch up your routine.
Is the way you commute set in stone, or is there room to approach things a bit differently? Consider getting off your train or bus one stop earlier to start your day with a mindful walk. For shorter commutes, make the switch from driving to cycling. Spending time outside in the fresh air can boost your mood, while moving more can increase your energy levels, concentration, and motivation.
Find a buddy.
Making your commute a social experience can not only support cutting down costs through giving each other a lift, but can also create time for connection outside of the office. The more socially connected we feel, the more likely we are to make healthy choices, as well as to look after our mental and physical wellbeing.
Focus on gratitude.
It’s understandable to feel fed up or resentful of long commutes. Focusing on fostering a positive mindset and finding small things you are grateful for can help you to reframe these automatic negative thoughts, and find something good in your day. Try to make a list of the little things that have made you feel grateful today. This time for reflection can also allow you to unwind and release tension that may have built over the day.
Embrace moments of me-time.
Having time to yourself can be so beneficial for personal development and growth. While being on a packed commuter train or being stuck in traffic may not seem like the ideal moment, you can still find ways of taking this time to think, focus on you, and let go of outside pressures and expectations. Take a moment to listen to your favourite music, let your mind wander, or even plan something fun or relaxing – however small – that you want to do with your evening ahead. Banish thoughts of work and chores, and let yourself have a moment to just be.
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