If you have to earn a living, there is a fair chance you spend a percentage of each day commuting to work. Some of us are lucky enough to work from home, but for most people, the daily commute is something to endure come rain or shine. In the summer when the sun is shining, it probably feels OK to get up early and travel to work, but in winter when it’s freezing cold and the rain is lashing down outside, I bet you would much rather stay in bed. So how can you improve this dismal situation?
Commuting by Car
The majority of people still commute to work by car, with the exception of people working in London, where public transport is dominant. If you have yet to learn to drive, commuting by car is not an option, but if you are going through the process of earning your licence by having a go at some mock theory tests on the Top Tests website, this one’s for you.
Driving to work on your own is boring and bad for the environment. It’s much more fun to enlist some company. Ask around your colleagues and see if you can do a car-share. As long as the person is not too annoying, it will save you money and provide an excellent opportunity to gossip. If that doesn’t work, listen to audio books or blast out your favourite tunes on the way to and from the office.
Using Public Transport
Public transport can be extremely stressful. We’ve all been there: you have an important meeting at 08:30, but your train has been cancelled and there are hundreds of people waiting for the next one, which is now running an hour late. Still, it can be just as bad in a car when the motorway is backed up four miles after a major incident.
The best way to beat public transport stress is to catch an earlier train or bus, just to give you some wiggle room if it all goes horribly wrong. If it does go wrong, practice some meditation techniques and remember that worrying makes no difference: it won’t change the outcome one little bit.
Cycling to Work
Cycling to work is a useful way of fitting some exercise in before and after work. In London, commuting to work on a bicycle is quite common, but you have to be extremely vigilant when cycling in heavy traffic.
To avoid cycling stress, always check your bike for problems at least once a week. Keep tyre pressures high to reduce the risk of punctures and if possible, fit heavy-duty puncture-resistant tyres. Wear the right clothing and keep a change of shoes and clothes at the office. Cycling is a low-impact exercise, but cycling long distance does take a toll on one’s stamina. If you want to improve your endurance and skills, consider investing in training gadgets for cycling, such as a power meter, fitness tracker, and bike computer. These tools will help provide insight on how you can structure your training to improve your stamina and skill.
Walking to the Office
Walking is relatively stress-free, but only if you leave the house on time and wear the right clothing. Be sure to carry an umbrella, just in case.
If you wake up and the weather is awful or there are huge delays on your usual route to work, call in and warn your boss you are probably going to be late.
