How to Make Commuting Less Stressful and More Productive
How to Make Your Commute Less Stressful: Not many things put a downer on your morning like your train being cancelled, the motorway crawling along at 10 mph, or the bus being too rammed to get on. When you get to work, you’ve already used up some of your get up and go on the journey in. The not-so-bad news is that a few little tweaks can soften your journey and, in some cases, give you a little of it back.
Begin by comparing your travel time to what you get out of it in terms of comfort and peace of mind. You can listen to music, get some reading done or even settle down to work on the train before you start the day. When you drive, you can leave on your own schedule and enjoy a door-to-door journey, and with a range of cheap car leasing deals from Hippo Leasing you can enjoy all the benefits of not owning a car without the costs and hassle.
Plan Ahead the Night Before
Getting ready in the mornings can be stressful enough as it is, but the act of searching for keys, chargers, papers or lunch can ramp up your stress even more. Get things ready the night before to relax.
Set out your clothes, prepare your bag and look at your route before you go to bed. If you drive, fill up with petrol or ensure you have enough charge. If you catch a bus or train, see if there are any planned engineering works or strike action, or if there have been any changes to the schedule. It takes just a few minutes, and could save you a lot of hassle in the morning.
Give Yourself a Bit More Time
Some of us want to leave as late as possible, but in some ways that can be worst of all! A bit of a delay on the train, a slow driver, or longer queue could make you late. Leave ten or fifteen minutes early to allow for delays.
Having additional time can help take the edge off the panic, so you’re calmer in terms of response to being delayed. Travelings a bit earlier might help you avoid the worst traffic or the most crowded train carriages. A less crowded, less rushed journey can make all the difference to your mood.
Develop a Relaxing Routine
Your commute can actually be a break from work, rather than an added stress. Establishing a relaxing routine can help you mentally transition to your workday. For example, you could listen to relaxing music, a well-loved podcast, an audiobook or guided meditation.
If driving, go for something that is calming but keeps you alert. If commuting using public transport, noise-cancelling headphones are ideal. Your goal should be to create a routine in which things feel more predictable and not so out of the ordinary.
Use the Time Productively
A commute is another time where you can tick little things off your to-do list. If you’re not the one driving, why not respond to those non-urgent emails, organise your calendar, browse industry headlines or prepare your list of priorities for the day. You’ll get to work feeling much more organised than rushed!
But sometimes, not working, can also be productive. Reading a book, studying a new language, or listening to an informative podcast can be fruitful, too. Even the time spent actively thinking and mentally organising your thoughts is an investment.
Set Limits on Work
Set clear boundaries. It’s great to make the most of travel time, however, the last thing you want is your commute time becoming work time paid for in hours. Worrying about work emails, problems or customer service issues before and after work can cause anxiety.
Establish boundaries. For instance, you could choose to plan out your day on your way to work in the morning, but take your evening trip to unwind. Shielding certain personal time can help you recuperate mentally.
Ease your Traveling Experience
The time you spend in your commute can be stressful or relaxing, based on your comfort. For those who drive, maintain your vehicle. Clean and keep it organised, and pack snacks, drinks, tissues, a phone charger and other essentials that make a long commute more comfortable.
When using public transport, think about what makes the trip easier. A small bag, comfortable shoes, a reusable water bottle and a fully charged phone can go a long way. Remember to dress for the weather.
Use a Backup Strategy
Curse your journey: Problems happen on the go, so consider a contingency plan to alleviate the fear. Do you know an alternate route, a different bus route or train? Think, if this can not get you on time is there somewhere you can work remotely for a bit.
The key is to keep the people involved up to date when delays are significant, which helps ease the stress too. As much as possible, you can prevent unexpected breakdowns, but you can always avoid unpreparedness.
Take Care of Yourself
Long commutes can take a toll on your physical and mental wellbeing. Consider some physical activity, whenever you can (e.g., walk part of the way, cycle from time to time, leave the bus a stop earlier). Even a few minutes of activity can lift your spirits and energy.
Do not forget to do something with your state of mind. Don’t look at the time you spend in traffic as lost, change your outlook, look at it as a transition period, if you handle it well, it can be very helpful.
Final Thoughts
Your commute doesn’t have to be a time-consuming, stressful experience. With some planning, leaving early, relaxing activities and even some ‘me-time’, along with establishing boundaries, you can have a more productive, less frenzied and more efficient journey.
