Brutal Morning Commute or Stress-Free Me-Time?
We’ve all had to commute before. Trains packed with people, screaming children, broken-down transportation—what a beautiful way to start the morning! But what if we told you there are ways to actually enjoy your commute? Join us as we walk through some of the best ones.
1. Make Sure You’re Prepared
One of the worst things about morning commutes is feeling rushed. It’s bad enough you have to sit on a crammed train for half an hour (if not longer), you don’t need the added stress of missing paperwork or lost items. Spend some time the night before to get everything ready—plan your outfit, gather any documents, and make sure everything’s as ready as you to tackle the day.
2. Listen to a Podcast
There’s a reason everyone suggests podcasts on a morning commute! You have a plethora of options, ranging from creepy mysteries to financiers to political news. Whether you’re looking for a laugh or to learn something new, podcasts have you covered.
3. Bring a Book
Books nowadays come in many forms, which is best for commuters. Grab a paperback. Listen to an audiobook. Get lost in your e-reader. However you consume that novel, you’ll have more than enough time to finally peruse the classics.
4. Get Your Steps In
We know it sounds like exercise will only make your commute worse but exercise does just as much for your mental health as your physical health. Can you walk to work? Rent a bicycle? If not, seated stretches and commuter workouts get the job done.
5. Reframe Your Thinking
The best way to tackle morning commutes is to reframe how you see them. Try not to see it as a chore to get through. Flip the script and think of it as personal time to enjoy. Yes, there will be traffic. Sure, trains might have technical errors. But at the end of the day, you have at least thirty minutes to do what you enjoy.
6. Turn it Into “Me Time”
Speaking of “me time,” there’s no better time to indulge than in the car. Compared to other modes of transportation, cars and buses are touted as the worst means of commuting—but you can make your space your own so it feels like an escape rather than a prison sentence.
7. Wake Up a Little Earlier
Wait a minute. Won’t that just make commuting longer? It depends on how you see it! While you’ll be up a little earlier, you’ll also have more time to stop and get a coffee or squeeze in a few minutes outside for fresh air. It’s better to make friends with your clock, not race against it.
8. Switch Up Your Routine
Part of the pain is a monotonous routine. Switch it up by going a different route or making time to stop in somewhere for a rest. Give yourself a few minutes to enjoy a bear claw. Take the scenic route for a touch of nature. All kinds of stress-free treasures await off the beaten path.
9. Invest in Comfort
If you’re stuck in your car, lumbar support makes that commute less excruciating. Proper pillows keep dangerous back pain away, which is even worse if you commute to a desk job. Neck pillows also aren’t unheard of on public transportation.
10. Keep Your Vehicle Clean
If you’re stuck in the car every morning, a good way to keep stress down is to keep a clean environment. Clear out any trash, invest in a good air freshener, and look into gadgets that help personalize your vehicle. Fun seat covers and tissue dispensers are a great place to start!
11. Consider Another Route
Kiss tedium goodbye with a new route to work. Wake up earlier to beat the traffic and try different paths. Take another mode of transportation to work. While you don’t need to commit to something new every day, even once a week is a big change.
12. Take Up a Craft
With nothing but time on your hands, it’s the perfect time to invest in a good craft! Commuter knitting and embroidery are two avenues to explore for your next train ride. You can also try your hand at drawing, but it’s harder on a bus than a train.
Tanaphong Toochinda on Unsplash
13. Find Some Friends
Don’t worry, we’re not advocating that you just make merry with any ol’ passenger. However, if you have friends who commute the same way, ask if they’d be willing to carpool or meet you somewhere to share the journey. Commutes are far less lonely with company in tow.
14. Get a Good Bag
Take it from us—the kind of bag you have can make or break your commute. Though it seems like an arbitrary buy, the right bag stops you from rooting around on packed transportation. Stick with bags that have proper security measures too (zippers over open pockets)—it’s added peace of mind.
15. Listen to the News
Morning news isn’t for everyone, especially nowadays. But some people love to get caught up with the world. You don’t always need to flip on the radio either. Podcasts keep you up to date on whatever topic interests you.
16. Puzzle Books
If you’d rather not stare at a screen, puzzle books help pass the time. Crossword books and sudoku help keep your mind sharp and eyes away from harmful blue light. Some books come with hundreds of puzzles as well, so you won’t run out any time soon.
17. Discover New Music
As much as we love our go-to albums, commutes are the perfect time to discover new music. Plenty of apps offer in-house playlists catered to different genres or what they think you’re interested in. You never know—you might find a new favorite!
18. Catch Up on Work
With an extra hour in front of you, it’s time to catch up. You can do anything from preparing meeting notes to sifting through your inbox. Get those mundane tasks out of the way now so you’re free later.
19. Just Sit There
We know that sounds sarcastic, but we’re serious! There’s no pressure to actually engage with anything on your commute. In a world that constantly demands our attention, sometimes it’s nice to just sit and look out the window a while.
20. Negotiate WFH Days
Hey, the best commutes are the ones you don’t have to make. Speak with management about WFH days. The worst they can say is no and you’ll never know if you don’t ask.
