Your commute is just a stressful part of your day, right? Running for trains, buses and trams that are never on time or being stuck in endless traffic jams on a rainy Monday morning – yuck.
But let’s look at it another way. A commute is a free section of time in which you have no responsibilities but to get from A to B. And unless you’re driving, someone else is even doing the hard part for you. So your commute is actually a perfect opportunity to take time out to relax. Here we give our top three ways to make your commute relaxing:
- Reading while moving can be difficult if, like me, you get motion sick or if you have to stand. It’s obviously not an option if you’re driving either. But immersing yourself in a story can be a great way to step outside of your own thoughts temporarily. Nowadays there are multiple podcasts and audio versions of books meaning you can stick in a pair of headphones, or a cable into your car radio, and enter someone else’s story.
- Mindfulness is a word we hear everywhere but it really comes down to one premise – taking time to be in-the-moment instead of being stuck in your thoughts. Try a mindful moment on your commute. Focus your attention on all of the physical sensations that you feel, good or bad, but without responding to them. You may notice your feet planted firmly on the floor, your hand on a cold support structure, the sway of your body as you turn a corner. You may notice the people around you, the bright red of a coat or the black of someone’s shoes. When you look outside you may notice buildings, trees, shops or something you’ve never noticed before. If you are driving you can still be mindful, although we would not advise looking out the window while moving! Try it while stopped at lights or be mindful of your actual driving.
- Use the Pip. Let’s be honest, you or your workplace got a Pip and you keep forgetting to use it. Like any good thing you build a habit by doing it regularly. Why not start by using the Pip on your commute? All you need is the tiny Pip, your phone and, if you like, a pair of headphones. See it as a buffer between home and work in the mornings and work and home in the evenings when you can reset your mental set from one to the other.
Don’t let the daily commute stress you out, try one of our tips and make it a little me-time in your day.
