Surviving a Long Commute: 8 Ideas to Help You Nail it and Stay Relaxed

Long commutes are inevitable! They are the most draining part of our daily routines. Especially when you are pinned in a metro city like Bangalore.

Stuck in the traffic, waiting in the long lanes, most people spend 2 to 3 hours every day on the road! 

Long commuting not just add to the exhaustion of their daily grind, but it can even lead to several serious issues!!!

But then, is there an alternative? Buying or renting a house next to your office is not much of a feasible or practical idea!!!

Read on to discover how blending in can make a world of difference…

Long commute: A recent anecdote

A few months back a young techie knocked the doors of my clinic. But it was his unspoken yet so common problem that made me put the pen down. 

This young man moved to the electronic city to carve his career. The tune hummed by many hearts in this beautiful pot of mixed culture.

On a normal day, his daily commuting comprised of 3 hours. For the first six months, it was his zest for the new job that made him see everything with a frenzy frame.

But soon this excitement fizzed out!

He got bored with the long commute. Some days, he slept on the company bus. Other days he tried to read or listen to music. He even gazed blankly through the window for hours. But everything he did consumed him with boredom.

At 25, his life got cocooned in an envelope. His personality got tainted with shades of boredom. All his conversations revolved around the topic of ‘long commute’. 

Working like a machine, tolling like a slave, living like a prisoner, he looked at the mirror with guilt and regret. He often stirred his hollow soul and echoed haunting thoughts!

He would nag his boss asking for ways to adapt to the city culture. Fortunately, his boss was a good man who understood the mental tides of these young men!

His boss suggested to him to see me. He said, “You should go and consult this Ayurvedic doctor. He treated my anxiety issues very efficiently. You must meet him. ”

Also Read: How to survive isolation in the time of coronavirus?

Long commute: Common problem, unusual complaint

Issues of a long commute are common to many men. This young men’s story is similar to many professionals straining in the traffic. 

Many people struggle with the problems of their long commute without seeking help!!!

And visiting a doctor’s clinic to communicate commuting issues is probably the last thing one could think. 

After all, medicines can’t shorten the commute time.

Well, in reality, it’s not the commute that you need help with. 

A helpful hand and mindful counselling help you to rethink life in a bigger frame. It helps you adapt better. It helps you to take things in the right stride!

People with longer commutes have higher blood pressure, bigger waistlines, and larger chances of diseases. So, knowing the medical complications associated with long commute helps to take proper preventives.

Also Read: Coping with Boredom

8 superb ideas to survive a long commute

After listening to the complaints of these young men, I shared a few simple tips that have made commuting a less tedious task for many!

1. Make your way with Meditation

Life is all about finding time to do what you love to do! While nagging in the traffic is one way to cross the commute. Sitting in the calm and meditating is another way to do it! 

If the noise disturbs you then put your headphones on, Let all your thoughts, worries, stress and tiredness evaporate. And energy and vigour make away in your body.

Meditation also bestows ample of other benefits. From mental stability to physical immunity. Meditation helps in restoring the balance. So, the best way to survive a long commute is meditation.

2. Sneak a nap

There is no better way to fight fatigue than a relaxing nap. Shut the mindless thoughts humming in your brain and give it the rest it deserves. Taking a nap relaxes your eyes. It rejuvenates your brain. 

Also read: Do you know about the amazing Coffee Nap?

Most people stick to their mobile on commutes. But mobile phone has serious health implications.

It engages your brain, eyes and hands. Constant staring spikes your stress. Increases your fatigue. It can also cause complications like Text Neck, eye issues etc.

3. Direct your thoughts

You are what you think!

But how often have you seen people thinking really hard about their life? Not the frivolous thoughts of daily life.

But thinking about the future, about a better life, about a plan or about their course of action!

Most people live their life on autopilot mode! They don’t think. Neither do they dream. They don’t direct. That’s why they stay stuck in the same cubicle all their life!

4. Talk to your friend or family

Do you feel detached with your old friends and distant family? The commuting is that time to bond back. Call your old pals and cousins, aunts and uncles. Relive your old memories and make plans to create new ones.

5. Take time for ted talks 

This tip to survive a long commute is all things inspiring.

We all need a little dose of inspiration to get through the tough day.

And what’s better than one episode of Ted Talk? It stirs your thoughts. Inspires your ideas. Gives you hope. And most importantly it shows how the extra-ordinary arises from the ordinary.

Choose an episode once in a while and watch it to lighten your mood. If watching the screen strains your mind then you can tune in the audiobook version!

6. Listen to three songs of one singer

Music is the best remedy to stress!

But don’t turn your radio on. Take out time to cue up a playlist of classical songs.

Tune in three songs for your daily dose of refreshment.

Create your song list with three songs from the same singer. Make sure to pick a different singer every day!

Music is meditative.

Try to choose classical or soothing music to have inspiring and positive lyrics.

Research shows that classical and pop music fans are more relaxed. Studies have proven that relaxing music can help to decrease anxiety. 

7. Open your mind to Motivational Speakers

Words can make or break a person!

So, make sure you listen to the right words.

Open your mind by listening to a motivational speaker. It helps you to stay positive even in the most stressed situation.

Listen to the leaders, the guides or gurus.

They will really help you grow professionally and personally. Their experience, thoughts and ideas are valuable lessons that will help you grow!

8. Take down your to-do list

Sitting idle in the traffic makes the mind more anxious. So, use this time more effectively and productively.

Do things that you can do even while you are travelling. 

Make your to-do list for the next day. Set your schedule.

Adjust some time for recreation and refreshment.

Planning your day ahead saves you ample of time that otherwise seeps away.

This is a productive pass time that will help you survive a long commute!

Bonus

9. Comedy is an ultimate remedy

If you are comfortable with watching videos during commute then tune to a great comedy video.

It lightens your mood and makes you smile. 

But make sure the video is funny but short. You don’t want to strain your eyes and get a headache.

10. Nail your networking skills

The best thing about travelling in public transport is the public!

Talk to the people present there.

Engage in positive and productive conversations.

It not just makes your networking strong but also opens your mind to illustrious ideas.

This is the best way to survive a long commute if you are an extrovert. For introverts, you can either snooze to your world of dreams. Or you may try to develop people’s skill!

Conclusion: Long commutes

Don’t let your circumstances decide what kind of person you are. Know your worth and change your circumstances!

This young man came back to me 4 months later.

And he is a completely changed person. His face exhales a breadth of calmness and positivity. 

He thanked me and said that he is more confident now. This new guy is well informed. He has honed many skills. And after mastering the art survive a long commute, commuting is like a blessing to him!