Commutes get a bad wrap, and for a reason. They can feel long, stressful, draining, and like a poor use of time. Not all of us can rid our days of transit, but we can make changes to our routines to make our daily commutes feel more comfortable and intentional. Whether you drive or take public transit, these simple commute tips will help you create a more comfortable, stress-free ride.
Tips for Creating a Comfortable Commute
We’ve got seven ways to help you stay calm, comfy, and collected during your daily commute. Let’s dive in.
1. Create Your Ideal Commute Soundtrack
Your morning sets the tone for the rest of your day, so consider what media you’re choosing to consume on your commute. If listening to the news first thing in the morning gets you feeling stressed or anxious, maybe it’s time to nix it for a fun podcast, playlist, or audiobook. Take some time to think about what the best music or podcasts for your commute would be, then curate your morning sounds.
2. Stay Comfortable with Temperature Control on the Go
If your commute involves driving, maintaining a temperature that feels comfortable to you might be a given, but if you take public transportation, this involves a little more planning. On warm days, dress in breathable fabrics, carry a water bottle of ice water, and keep a handheld fan or neck fan with you to create cooling air circulation on the go. On chillier transits, layer up, carry a hot beverage in a heated travel mug, and consider hand and feet warmers for particularly cold days. What other commute essentials would help you maintain an ideal temperature throughout your daily trek?
3. Invest in Essential Commuter Accessories for Comfort
Whether you drive or take public transit, there are accessories worth investing in that can bring comfort to your commute. If you’re a driver, that might mean equipping your car with a magnetic phone mount for easy phone access, enhancing the driver’s seat with additional cushioning or back support pads, keeping a dedicated pair of polarized sunglasses in the car, etc. For public transportation users, you may want to invest in comfortable commuting shoes, a supportive backpack or crossbody commuter bag to prevent muscle strain, and noise-cancelling headphones.
4. Practice Mindful Commuting to Reduce Stress
Though it might sound odd to say, your commute can actually be a great opportunity to keep stress in check. Instead of doom scrolling, building up anxiety about the meetings and deadlines that await, or giving into road rage, try practicing mindful commuting: do calming breathing exercises, use a guided meditation app, or practice mindful observation. Because your commute bookends your work day, it can be a great opportunity to transition into and out of the work mindset with intention and grace.
5. Snack Smart and Stay Hydrated on the Commute
Keep your energy and mood steady by always carrying healthy snacks and water with you. If you drive to a from work, keep healthy commuter snacks and beverages in your car. If you take public transit, keep your commuter bag packed with snacks, and carry a reusable water bottle to keep your hydration levels up.
6. Make Your Commute More Productive (Without the Stress)
Feeling like your commute is a waste of time? It doesn’t have to be! You may not be able to change how long you have to travel each day, but you can control what you do with that time. Depending on your commuting situation, you could use your commute as dedicated time for reading or listening to audiobooks, studying a language with the help of language learning apps, making phone calls to friends and family, or journaling. What would your ideal productive commute look like?
7. Create Boundaries for Work-Life Balance
Making your commute productive does not mean squeezing in more work emails or business calls while in transit. Resist the urge to check emails or fit in more work tasks while on your commute. This should be a sacred time for recharging. Maintain work life balance by setting boundaries for your commute. You’ll thank yourself later.
“Commute” Doesn’t Have to Mean “Chaos”
Commutes are often associated with rushing, stress, and fatigue - but they don’t have to. Turn your daily commute from something you dread into something you look forward to - a time to recharge your batteries and treat yourself to things that make you feel good on the go. With these simple commute tips, you can create a calm, comfortable, and even enjoyable part of your day.
Looking to carry the feel good vibes from your morning commute into the workplace? Check out our tips for creating an oasis at the office.