According to the U.S Census Bureau, over 150 million people commute to work by car, and approximately 7.6 million commuters rely on public transportation.
No matter how you commute, it can be stressful—traffic, congestion, other drivers/passengers, detours, etc. But no matter how you commute, there are ways to reduce your stress.
Here are five ideas to turn your commute into an anti-stress adventure:
1 – Listen to a book
Listening to a book on your daily commute can not only help you tackle your “to read” pile, but it can also actually be stress-relieving.
Did you know that reading for just six minutes daily can lower your stress level by up to 68 percent? That is according to Mindlab International at the University of Sussex in the UK.
Public transportation commuters can dive into a novel on their way to work, but those driving can listen along thanks to services like Audible.
2 – Don’t drive, cycle
Bicycling to work even once a week is a great way to incorporate exercise into your daily routine, and there is no better natural stress reliever than exercise.
Exercise like biking can lower your body’s stress hormone, cortisol. And research shows that those who bike regularly have a significantly lower risk of feeling the adverse effects of stress.
3 – Meditate
Meditation has also been shown to decrease stress by reducing the inflammation caused by cortisol. The best part is that you can practice meditation no matter where you are. Yes, even if you drive yourself! Look for apps that provide guided meditations designed for driving commuters.
4 – Get healthy
No matter how you get to the office, you can make it a healthy journey. Bring along a heart-healthy, energy-boosting smoothie or juice.
Breakfast is the day’s most important meal, so make it count. Throw some citrus and green tea
together to keep your cortisol level in check and, at the same time, boost your “happiness hormones.”
5 – Let someone else drive
Imagine what you could do if you weren’t the one behind the wheel. You could meditate deeply, read, work, socialize, nap – even exercise! The possibilities are endless when you choose public transportation and ridesharing options.
Use commuter benefits to take advantage of cost savings on public transportation and micromobility options through payroll deductions.
With Edenred’s commuter benefits program, we help you take the stress out of commuting in three ways:
- Save Money
- Save Time
- Save Stress
To get started, schedule a call today.
