19
February
2018
|
16:27
Europe/Amsterdam

Top hacks for an easy commute

EA Commute

Spending hours every week commuting between home and office is a fact of life for most professionals, often involving packed public transport, traffic jams and difficult delays. However, with recent studies showing that a stressful commute to work can lead to a wide range of issues including anxiety, increased blood pressure and depression, finding ways to improve these essential journeys is key. Kick-start your working day the right way with our top hacks for an easy commute. 

Stay up to date 

Download any relevant service apps for your journey and set up alerts for your bus or train operator's Twitter accounts. That way you’ll know about issues in advance and can make the changes to your journey without being much later for work than usual! Try to always give yourself time for potential issues to rise too, and you’ll be able to avoid stressful situations. 

Pack smart

Delays and difficulties can ruin even the most simple commutes, so prepare for any situation by always having essential items in your bag, including a portable charger, a sweatshirt for heavily air-conditioned transport, and a healthy snack. For those who love music or audiobooks on the commute, invest in a pair of good, noise-canceling headphones and keep them to hand for the journey.

Use your commute time effectively

Try to think of your commute as an opportunity rather than a chore, and use the time effectively. This could be a chance to start meditating with apps such as Headspace, learning a language with DuoLingo, or getting lost in that book you’ve been meaning to read. Alternatively, you could use your commute as a chance to unplug from technology before kick-starting the working day.

De-stress with classical music

Studies show that listening to classical music can make you feel more relaxed, happier and less stressed, so why not download some Mozart on your next commute for a mood-boosting journey?

Add exercise for a health boost 

Mix up your routine and save time in the gym later by adding exercise—is it possible to walk, run or cycle part of the way? Even the short spurts of walking from parking your car further away or taking the stairs in the train station all add up.