16 Surefire Ways to Make Your Commute Less Stressful
Most people spend around 25 minutes each day traveling to work. Over the course of one year that could amount to more than 200 hours merely traveling to and from work.
Researchers have found that commuters experience significantly high levels of stress. However, they also point out that not all commuting is created equal, nor does stress have to play a part.
So, how can you make your commute less stressful?
#1 Relax prior to your commute
This includes getting up early enough to enjoy a healthy breakfast. If possible have a coffee, read the newspaper or a book, and start to prepare yourself for the day ahead.
#2 Check out traffic reports
Local radio stations normally report on accidents, routes to avoid, and weather warnings. Check this out before you leave home, as this will give you time to think of an alternative route, if necessary.
#3 Allow extra time
Leaving 10-15 minutes extra time will help you feel less stressed if unforeseen circumstances, such as an accident, or animals on the the road, do happen to slow you down.
#4 Try public transport
Driving yourself to work is much more stressful. This is because we feel more responsible for what happens around us.
So, by taking the bus, or train you won’t be so quick to blame yourself for delays, and therefore your journey will be less stressful.
#5 Consider carpooling
Carpooling can reduce stress, by giving you social interaction, and reducing your driving needs. Again this will depend on your personality, if you prefer your own space, it may not be the right option for you, especially if you carpool with someone who talks too much!
#6 Avoid uncertainties
Being uncertain about where you’re going is a major stress factor. If you have an important meeting or interview think about taking a train, bus, or taxi to get to your destination, rather than driving yourself there.
#7 Take the easiest route
Traffic that flows smoothly is much less stressful. If you have too many stop signs, traffic lights, and pedestrians on your normal route, can you take an alternative? Even if the alternative is longer, a smooth journey is less stressful.
#8 Avoid rush hour
Every rush hour is the same with long tail-backs, and frustrated or even irate drivers, but what’s the alternative?
If you live out of town maybe you could arrange for flexible working hours. Or how about avoiding the rush hour altogether by going to the gym straight after work, taking a walk at the local park, or going shopping?
#9 Drive calmly
Weaving, and darting around traffic rarely gains you more than a few minutes, but it does have a huge impact on stress levels. Instead, try driving calmly, without too many lane changes, increased speed, or rapid braking.
#10 Don’t overreact
Some drivers get extremely annoyed when someone passes them, when someone drives too slowly, or when someone forgets to signal a turn etc, but is it really worth getting stressed over?
#11 Breathe deeply
If you feel yourself getting tense, try some deep breathing. This should help to ease tension, causing you to feel more relaxed almost instantly.
#12 Mini massage
When stopping at traffic lights use the time to try out a mini massage.
With the thumb of one hand, massage the palm of the other hand by making small circles, working every area of the palm and fingers also. Switch and do the other hand. This is surprisingly very relaxing!
#13 Enjoy your surroundings
When you feel stress levels rising, try to focus on something positive. Look for something natural to captive your imagination, for example the green trees, a nearby river, or the blue sky.
#14 Learn a new skill
Research suggests that doing something else while driving can reduce stress. Why not learn a new language, listen to an educational podcast, or even listen to a novel using audible downloads? Just remember to concentrate on your driving too!
NB In some countries/states it is against the law to use headphones/earphones while driving, check with your local law authority.
#15 Listen to music
Crank up your stereo with whatever makes you feel happy; maybe it’s classical, gospel or even something upbeat. By listening to music you’ll be less likely to get angry as you travel.
#16 Organise supplies
If you find yourself getting delayed, plummeting blood sugars can be a major cause of increased stress levels. Keep a supply of dried fruit, nuts, bottled water, or crackers just in case. Also, make sure you have a mobile phone car charger, and enough fuel in your car.
Today I’m particularly stressed!!
When you feel stressful thoughts coming on, ask yourself, “Are these negative thoughts helping me in any way?” This is a good way of re-focusing your mind on what is really important.
How do you de-stress on your daily commute?
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Apr 29, 2008
I walk to the coffee pot, fill the cup, then walk through the dining room, across the foyer and into my home office.
HA!
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Apr 29, 2008
Hi Rebecca,
That does sound particularly taxing!!
My mornings are quite similar at the moment, and a lot of my traveling is in the afternoon. But, in South Australia the roads are wide, and there’s little traffic, although you do need to watch out for the kangaroos!
Apr 30, 2008
Ride your bicycle! Most cities and towns have bike lanes. Often employers, if pushed, will make sure you have good bike parking (often closer than your car could get) and some offices have showers and lockers. I ride my bike every day and it’s definitely the healthiest commuting choice… I’m disappointed that you left it off your list.
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Apr 30, 2008
Hey Sara B,
Thanks for your feedback. I’m also a little disappointed that I didn’t include it! It’s wonderful that your offices have showers and lockers, I suppose most won’t have access to this.
Do you have far to travel each day? What wonderful exercise!
May 1, 2008
Bike commute, yes, someone beat me to it. Showers and lockers? You must be joking, it’s two miles each way.
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May 1, 2008
maybe you should note that wearing ipod earbuds while driving is not a good idea and against the law in many states. buy an adapter for your car stereo though, and you are all set! good list. with a 45 minute each way commute i can totally relate to these! thanks!
May 1, 2008
Okay, most cities and towns DO NOT have bike lanes — at least the last three I’ve lived in haven’t. I’m actually looking forward to trying to bike commuting though, when I move to my permanent place in August (I’m living about 15 miles from my office currently until my house is ready). When I move, I’ll be 2.2 miles. The only drawback to the bike commute though is the seedy neighborhood you have to pass through to get from my house to downtown.
As for now, I usually just get to work a little late. Amazing how leaving 10 minutes later can save me up to 20 minutes on my commute as traffic clears out. And my boss doesn’t mind me coming in at 9:150instead of 9:00 on the nose.
May 1, 2008
Also, fixedgear — I live in south Louisiana. Two miles of any kind of exertion in July/August does require a full shower/change of clothes.
May 1, 2008
I agree with Ernie regarding the ipod. And while music is good, don’t put it on too loud! You may not be able to hear the Ambulance, Fire Truck etc behind/to the side of you.
I live in Wellington (NZ) and am quite fortunate to be able to walk to work along the waterfront every day. Gorgeous and definitely relaxing!
May 1, 2008
Hey Ernie & Dawn,
It’s not illegal here (Australia) to use earphones while driving, so thanks for the pointer.
Hi Lindsey,
Yeah, that is a problem for cyclists. In actual fact, it may be more stressful for some commuters to travel via bike, particularly if it’s heavy traffic with no designated lane for them.
It’s good that your boss is flexible, many aren’t!
May 1, 2008
#1 and #3 are really critical for me. If I didn’t take out time to eat breakfast, check email, weather, relax a bit before leaving for work, I’d go crazy.
But, any suggestions on reducing stress on very crowded public (not always reliable) public transportation? Besides blasting the iPod and/or uncomfortably burying yourself in a book or magazine?
And is 25 minutes each way really the average? It seems the most people I know have commutes about twice that….
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May 1, 2008
Hi Cookin Panda,
Thanks for your comment.
Yes, I can sympathise about the “not always reliable public transportation!” I used to live in London and regularly traveled on the tube. It was often very crowded, but I used to read my book and it didn’t bother me too much. However, you weren’t always guaranteed a seat!
I think it’s all about your attitude as well, if you feel stressed before you travel, the travel itself just adds to that stress even more.
Anyone got any other ideas?
As far as the average commute time is concerned, I suppose it all depends on where you live in the world. A survey carried out in the US found that the “average commute times range from 19 minutes for people who work in towns, to 34 minutes for people who work in big cities.”
May 2, 2008
I commute about 2 hours every day by bus. You can take my word for it I don’t even feel one tiny bit of stress!
My bus’ final destination is where I get up and it’s final destination at work is where I get off and get up again. So I really don’t have to wait either.
Bustime is like relaxing time for me. :o)
May 5, 2008
Hey Nico,
Good to hear from you again!
Yes I totally agree with you, when I used to travel on buses and trains to work, I also found it relaxing. I suppose it depends on where you live - if you live where public transport isn’t reliable, that would be very stressful indeed.
So do you just enjoy the journey, or do you catch up on reading etc?