The commute – the two words that can spark fear and loathing into any employees heart. Standing on a crowded train, face-to-armpit with Sweaty Samuel, or stuck in 4 miles of traffic – whatever your commute, it’s usually a bit of a chore.
The average UK commuter spends 10,634 hours traveling to and from work. These are 10,634 hours that could be spent doing something productive! Read on and find out some of the best tips for maximising your journey.
1) Reflect and plan:
Your commute is the perfect time to prepare for the day ahead. And don’t worry, you don’t need your laptop or even a notepad for this. Mental planning is just as useful. Think about the previous day, what went well and what didn’t. Think about how you can embrace the upcoming day in order to reach your goals and maximise productivity. Reflection is an important aspect of growth, and the commute is the perfect opportunity to spend some time on yourself.
2) Listen up:
Commute is perfect-podcast-listening-time. Block out all the woes of the commute with some headphones and your phone. Whether it’s a relevant educational podcast, a comedy-cast or a discussion, listening to a podcast not only educates the listener, but makes the commute go so quickly. It’s like magic!
3) Get social:
The commute is the perfect time to get up-to-date on your social media channels. This is also when your peers will be checking their social too, making it the perfect time to chat and discuss things with others online.
4) Sing it:
Did you know that singing is actually good for your health? It increases physical health by exercising muscle groups in the upper body, but it also has psychological benefits too, and has positive effects on stress and mental wellbeing. So next time you’re in the car, get the radio on, and sing your heart out. I can guarantee it will start your day off well. (ps. it’s advised to avoid this tip if commuting on public transport)
5) Pretend you’re a video game character:
I bet you’re wondering what I’m going on about now. But for this point I was inspired by this article, where a journalist describes how he makes his commute more interesting by imagining he was the protagonist of a video game. His coffee in the morning was his power level and offering a seat to another person was an instant level-up. Why not treat your commute like an epic Lord Of The Rings style battle. (other commuters can be the Orcs), it will definitely make your journey a lot more interesting.
6) Apprendre une langue:
If its always been on your bucket list to learn a language – then what better time to do it than on your commute? Their are numerous ways to teach yourself- from good old audiobooks, to downloadable apps, or even trusty Rosetta Stone, use your spare minutes to teach yourself something truly valuable!
7) Do nothing:
Somedays you’re going to want to be highly productive. Other days you’re going to want tot use your commute to do absolutely nothing. And that’s okay.
8) Get fit:
Cycling to work (if feasible) is a great idea for a number of reasons. It’s good for the environment, it’s good for your health, and it’s good for your wallet! If you’re able to cycle to work then you can ditch the gym membership and use this as a daily exercise routine. Early morning exercise is also proven to improve productivity throughout the day, so get on yer’ bike!
9) Power nap:
This may seem like the lazy option, but power naps have been proven to be good for you! Having a nap can improve performance, mental ability and alertness. And with some spare time before and after work, the commute seems like the perfect time for a nap! Don’t do this one if you’re driving to work!
10) Become a music guru:
Doing this point won’t make you a music guru. But it will introduce you to some new music you wouldn’t have listened to otherwise. Check out new album releases and make a point of downloading one every so often. The commute is a perfect time to sit and listen to new music, and you may just find your new favourite artist!
What do you usually do on your commute? Let us know on Twitter @undercoverec.
