Ten things you can do while you commute for a better life

I’ve returned to paid work recently after a while, which means I am commuting again. It takes me almost an hour each way, which involves two trams, or a bus and a tram, or a tram and a train, as well as multiple walking stints. With our growing city (and world), many people commute to work or study each day. If you are one of them, you may find these tips handy.

I try to enjoy my commute as much as I can, and view it as time for myself, for my thoughts, writing or silence, depending on my mood. It can be so easy to complain about our commute (which I do as well!), and so I thought it helpful to think of ways to be positive about it, for my sake as much as yours.

Here are a few things you can try for a happier commute today;

1. Call a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while. Many of us Melbournians are immigrants, and so may have friends or family overseas. It might be a friend from a few suburbs away who has a different schedule to you. Either way, morning or after work commute is perfect for a catch up (perhaps with a coffee at hand each). 
2. Listen to an interesting and thought-provoking podcast. Like Ladies We Need to Talk, Life Matters, Hand-in-Hand parenting, or the many more out there. It is refreshing to think of something that’s not work or housework for a short while.
3. Speak to someone next to you on public transport. It doesn’t have to be a D&M, a simple hello will do. It can turn someone else’s morning from a cramped, rushed commute to a friendly warm ride. I bet you’ll be better off too. If you’re driving, try chatting to a colleague you don’t normally do when you get to work instead. 
4. Add physical exercise that suits your abilities. Whether it’s getting off one stop earlier or simply taking a small flight of stairs, adding physical movement to your day will benefit your physical and mental health. You’ll be surprised how many core exercises can be done sitting or standing on the train! Even noticing and correcting your posture is helpful, standing up tall or sitting straighter. Something is better than nothing, always. 
5. Plan your day or even morning– if you can, write down the big tasks you need to get done first (the hardest), or even what you’ll have for dinner. Making your day simpler means less decisions need to be made, which will add more energy into your day. 
6. Add a self-care activity to your week– use the time on your commute to think about what rejuvenates you, what feels good to nurture your soul. For some it’s a dinner with a friend, others reading a favorite book, others a gym session. Whatever it is, schedule it in your calendar and commit to following through. Even knowing you have an hour of self-care ahead in the week can make a daunting week feel worthwhile. 
7. Use social media strategically– instead of scrolling purposelessly through your newsfeed, why not reach out to an old friend or say congratulations to someone’s good news? There’s so many groups out there of support for people dealings with similar experiences, why not join one? If there’s someone or thing (like a page) that makes you feel anxious or low when you see they’re posts, consider unfollowing or unfriending them. 
8. Enjoy the ride– whether it’s on the tram, train or in your car, try to think of your commute as a trip rather than commute. Try to practice mindfulness, noticing the view, the streets, houses, shops, and people around. Practice being grateful for having a job or study to commute to, many people don’t get that opportunity!
9. Meditate– each of us may have a slightly different definition of meditation. It can be listening to a favourite song, silence or a guided meditation exercise. Research has shown the benefits of mediation for our mental health, and a long commute is the perfect time to practice! Smiling mind is a great free app to try easy meditations you can do anywhere. If you’re driving, maybe focus on mindfulness and keep your eyes open 😉
10. Nourish yourself– take a healthy snack for the ride so you don’t feel hangry and spread that energy on your way to or at work first thing in the morning. 

Here’s to a happier commuting to us all. 

L. K. Bridgford