Having to commute to work is a drag. Last year, BlogTO brought awareness to the fact that us city-dwellers in Toronto spend an average commute time of 84 minutes each day. Whether you drive or take transit, it takes a lot of time to get around this city.
There have been many studies on the negative health effects caused by long commutes. Mercer reported in 2017 that people with longer commutes are found to have higher rates of depression, financial concern and obesity. So, what can you do to avoid falling into the negative thinking yourself? Aside from moving, below are 3 ways to perk up your commute.
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Create a Routine
Turn your time spent commuting into enjoyable time by creating a routine. Now, this doesn’t have to be cumbersome, it could be as simple as picking up a coffee from your favourite coffee shop, listening to a podcast or catching up on social media. Build something into your commute time that turns it into something you look forward to.
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Plan Your Day
One very helpful, stress-relieving tool to Perk up Your Commute is to actively think about how you will structure your day or week. On your way to work, reflect on how your plans will help to achieve personal and professional goals. And, on the way home – make personal plans and family commitments. By implementing these mindful exercises, you may find that it’s easier to improve your work-life balance as well.
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Socialize
Look for people at work who also live relatively close to carpool. If you take transit, maybe a friend of yours has a similar route where you can meet and catch up during your journey. Or, use the phone and call someone. Chances are, there’s someone in your contact list that hates their commute too!
