The morning commute is often one of the more bland aspects of the day. Whether it be by car, where much of the time is spent in traffic not moving at all, or by public transport, where it may be a case of being packed in like a sardine for an hour, it can be an uncomfortable and stressful time. According to the ONS 3.7 million of us are on the move for 2 hours a day, so it makes sense to start using this time more productively and start looking forward to your journey to and from work.
Start an online course
Quite a radical step to begin with but it’s a great way of taking some time back to do something for yourself! There are thousands of online courses to choose from, to suit whatever you are interested in; whether it’s for your own personal development or something to help you in your career now. Even a journey of an hour each way is enough time to start learning a language or even a degree course via the Open University.
Listen to a podcast
If you don’t have the luxury of a seat or are conscious of too much screen time, then a podcast could be the answer. People are out there talking about everything you can think of, so searching through some topics you’re interested in will bring up loads of options. You can listen in to a debate, or relax as people discuss the weekend’s football news, and be more knowledgeable at the end of your journey. A top tip is subscribing and turning on automatic downloads, so the latest episodes are ready and waiting.
Plan your day
If you’re feeling productive, you can schedule calls, answer emails or clear your inbox; this can prevent you from working late into the night. Alternatively use the time to catch up with friends and family, to prevent you doing this during the day.
Catch-Up TV
If you find yourself prone to binge-watching late at night, then you could start doing this during your commute. Try not to watch anything too emotional in the morning though, you don’t want to be deflated before you start work.
Buy an Audiobook
Listening to an audiobook can be one of the more relaxing ways to spend a commute. By listening, rather than reading, you can give your eyes a rest and let someone else do the hard work. There are a few services out there, who often have free texts, so you can try and see if you like it.