For a lot of people, the daily commute is one of the most draining parts of the day. You have to do it once to get to work, and then do the whole thing again when you’re done, and probably feeling completely exhausted. Now multiply that by  five and it’s worth learning how to make it less stressful to save yourself a lot of aggravation. With that in mind, let’s explore some solutions.

What’s The Real Problem?

Before you try to fix your commute, it helps to work out what actually bothers you about it.  Is it the length? How unpredictable is it? How much does it cost? Are you uncomfortable? Sometimes it’s not the journey itself that’s the issue, but the other factors that go with it. Once you’re clear on that, it’ll be a lot easier to focus on making some changes that will actually create a better commute.

Small Timing Changes Can Make A Big Difference

Leaving ten or fifteen minutes earlier can completely change your commute for the better: you might find the roads are quieter and public transport is less crowded. If you leave a bit later, it might cost less on the train or bus, which is something to consider. If you can’t change your commute start time, what about changing your work start time? It could be that you can make your hours more flexible, and even a slightly adjusted start time at the office can help massively.

Make The Time Feel Useful Or Enjoyable

You might not be able to shorten your commute, but you can change how it feels by using things like audiobooks, podcasts, playlists, or even just taking the opportunity for some quiet time that you wouldn’t have had otherwise. In the end, you might be able to make your commute into a buffer between work and home, and not think about it like a chore anymore.

If you drive, you can make the car more comfortable as well, with cushions and an air freshener, for example. And even on public transport, having a regular routine or something to look forward to during the journey is sure to help.

Think About The Location, Not Just The Job

In the longer term, the stress that comes from a commute is going to cause problems, so it’s wise to do something about it before it gets too bad and even leads to burnout. One thing that might be an option if you don’t want to change jobs is to change your location – you could literally move closer to where you work, cutting your commute time down potentially by a large percentage.

If that sounds tempting, there are plenty of options, including some lovely new builds that you can put your own stamp on right from the start. Look for well-connected areas close to where you work, and you might find you can reduce your commute and the stress that comes with it easier than you thought.