The dreaded work commute. Some of us like it, some of us hate it, and some of us are indifferent. Whatever opinion you have, if you have to take the car or public transport to and from the office, the journey can be one to dread, rather than enjoy.
While of course, most of us don’t smile at the idea of a long work commute, there are things you can do during your journey which can set you up for a great day ahead. Whether you’re a 10-minute drive away from work or an hour-long train ride, here are some ways on how to make your work commute more comfortable and enjoyable.
Listen to Calming Music
If you have to take public transport to get to work, especially during rush hour, you’ll know only too well how cramped and stuffy it can be. Even if you’re lucky to grab a seat, that’s not to say you won’t have dozens of people standing upright by you. Understandably, this can be quite an unpleasant atmosphere to be in. Therefore, doing anything you can to make the trip more comfortable and enjoyable is key. One of which being listening to calming music. If you stick your headphones in and put something soothing on, you can shut your eyes and take yourself off to another place.
Listening to calming music can instantly reduce stress and help set you up for a productive day at work. Whether you’ve only got a chance to listen to a song or two, or you can enjoy a whole playlist, having some relaxing music playing in your ears will definitely make a difference.
Practice Deep Breathing
You’ll have a hard time finding anyone that enjoys the rush hour commute. If you’ve got a long-distance ahead and want to zone out from what’s going on around you, practicing deep breathing techniques can be a big help. The good thing about these techniques is you can do them just about anywhere, even if you’re stood up.
Some of the best deep breathing methods for stress relief include equal breathing, pursed-lip breathing, and breath focus. If there’s lots of noise on the bus or train and you’re finding it difficult to concentrate on your deep breathing, you may benefit from putting on some noise-canceling headphones.
Play Games
If you can nab a seat on public transport, why not take out your smartphone and play on some games during your commute? Not only will doing so make the time pass by quicker, but you may also learn a thing or two along the way. If you opt for a brain teaser game, this can get your mind ready and raring to go for another day at the office.
Alternatively, you may enjoy playing online casino titles. If this is the case, Online Casinos can help you find the best one in the UK. When you check out their reviews, you can sign up for a platform that has excellent graphics, visuals, and jackpot prizes. Just make sure you don’t get too caught up in your game as you may miss your stop and arrive late for work!
Have a Snack
You’ll be forgiven if you hit the snooze button over and over before climbing out of bed for work. If this sounds like you, finding time for breakfast may be impossible. However, if you’ve got some time to kill during your commute, why not bring along a few morning snacks for the ride? Eating healthy snacks can fuel your mind and body for the day ahead and help you be more productive and efficient.
If you’re heading on a train journey, there may be a coffee shop you can head to before climbing on board. You can grab a cup of coffee and a snack which you can enjoy as you travel to work. Having some coffee can boost metabolism, support brain function, and increase energy and work performance.
Take In the Scenery
With so many of us on the go and never having a chance to sit still, when you’re on your work commute, use this time to your advantage. If you’re not behind the steering wheel and on public transport instead, something as simple as looking out the window and watching the world go by can be a brilliant way to keep calm and relaxed throughout the journey.
Whether it’s beating down with rain or the sun is shining, there are lots of wonderful sights to feast your eyes on as you travel to work. Sure, you may go off into a daydream, but if it takes your mind off your commute and helps you stay relaxed, it can only be a good thing.
Stick a Podcast On
Podcasts are rising in popularity, and understandably so. There are many reasons for this. Podcasts can help cut down on screen time, keep storytelling alive, and enable you to learn unique topics from experts directly.
There are even meditation podcasts that cause the release of dopamine that will soothe you. Whatever tickles your fancy, sticking on a podcast can be a wonderful way to make the time go quicker and give you something to concentrate on. Make sure you put your headphones in, though. The last thing any other commuter needs is someone blaring a podcast full blast in the carriage! Simply head onto platforms like Spotify who have an extensive collection of podcasts to pick from.
When you arrive at the office, you’ll want to sit at your desk full of productivity and ready to get stuck in, rather than stressed and anxious about what awaits. The morning commute is never fun, but there are certain things you can do that can make the experience more enjoyable and comfortable.
Whether you put some tunes on, take in the scenery, or play online games to keep you entertained, try and see the commute as a chance for some ‘me’ time rather than the dreaded journey to a long day at work.