8 Things To Do To Make The Most Of Your Commute

How busy can you look on the metro, especially if it is an underground line, there’s only so long you can pretend to be reading the billboards zooming across. You could immerse yourself in social media and mindlessly flick through Instagrams (which is not a bad thing at all if your work requires it), or doze off on your fellow commuter's shoulder. How about using this time to reflect on life and rejuvenate your body?

Reading is one luxury that people who drive cannot afford, whereas, nothing can beat commute boredom better than a good book while on the metro. To keep abreast of the latest books, join a bookclub. Celebrities like Emma Watson (@oursharedshelf) and Reese Witherspoon (#RWBookClub) have their own. By following their feeds you could actually be having a conversation with them on their choice of books and throw some suggestions of your own while at it.

Podcasts are always on our day’s to-do list. So why not listen to it on the commute? Lena Dunham's Women Of The Hour features discussions and interviews with, well, the women-of-the-hour—Emma Stone and Zadie Smith hold court as well—all the way to fun need-to-know trivia. Then, if you want more on the latest reads, there’s the New Yorker: Fiction podcast. This one’s for you if you are an aspiring writer with its expert analyses.

Dating must be on your agenda if you are single and looking. Why not make it part of your commute schedule? If you are the kind who’d rather meet someone while crossing the street (so to speak), download Happn, it will help set you with people in your radar—you probably just bumped into him. Then, of course, there’s the mother of all dating apps, Tinder. That’s should keep you occupied.

Organise your day—in your mind. Jot down the things you really need to get done for the day (the rest are a bonus). David Allen, author of Getting Things Done insists that you have to prioritise in order to be productive. Don’t set yourself up for more than is practical, or you will end up with more lists than completed jobs.

Sharpen your senses before jumping into your day. Certain essential oils help awaken your brain. If you are driving, slip in a diffuser with either orange or lemon essential oil. Dab a few drops on your wrists before you get into the bus or train. It goes a long way in escaping from the sweat smells of your co-passengers.

Zen is a good way to start your day—take 10 minutes to centre yourself. Whether you are standing or sitting down, place feet firmly on the ground and inhale and exhale deeply a few times with your eyes closed. This is especially great if you are having butterflies in your stomach about an important meeting. If you have a bit more time, slip in a few extra minutes of quiet meditation.

Train your brain. Who doesn’t like playing games on the phone to bide time on their commute? Apps such as Elevate and Peak not just keep you occupied and entertained, but help develop your problem solving and communication skills. They are like your personal mind coaches.

Exercise—nothing comes even close to it when it comes to jump-starting your entire system. If you can, save yourself from a crowded commute and opt to walk, run or cycle to work. You never know what you might observe new about your surroundings. It’s also unmatched “me” time. Change your route now and then, you may even discover new grab-and-go places. Not just that, it will help you reach the 150 minutes per week of activity time recommended by cardiologists. Strap on your fitness tracker and challenge yourself.

Last, but not the least, we are not ignoring the benefits of a power nap. If you need it, by all means recharge!

By Sandhya Mahadevan