How to have a creative commute
Travelling takes up a large proportion of most of our days, with more and more of us prepared to commute long distances to our place of work. But this need not be wasted time — you just need to look at your journey to work from another perspective.
See your journey as an inspiring time — this will allow you to get the most out of your trip and ensure you start your working day on the right footing.
Still need convincing? realbuzz.com have come up with a few tips to get you started.
Set yourself a target
When you’re on your way to work — why not think of something that you want to achieve on route, whether it be work-related or something purely for yourself. This may be the one way of not stressing-out if your journey is held up. You will have the satisfaction of knowing you have been able to achieve at least something in that time.
Prepare mentally for work
Spend a little time focusing on the day ahead and this will help you adjust yourself to the work place. Get things straight about what you need to tackle that day, and in what order you are going to approach them. A little bit of thought to help you slide into this work mode is time well spent, rather than leaving it to the moment you walk through the door — forcing you to head straight for the coffee machine!
Recharge your batteries
Although you may not feel fully recharged and ready to tackle the day, there is a lot to be said about thinking positively and putting yourself in the right frame of mind. If your work position requires you to be bold and positive — then think bold and positive, get yourself into that work persona — this will act to both energise you and channel your confidence. If you travel by bus or train, don’t be tempted to have a snooze on the way in, morning naps have little benefit and have habit of making you feel groggy — not the best way to start the day!
Stimulate your brain
Once you have dealt with the work matters in your mind, the remainder of your time is free for you. It is really time to let your mind wander and stimulate parts of the brain that you may not normally use. If your job requires you to do lots of number crunching, then you could consider doing something more creative, such as jotting down thoughts, drawings or even attempting that novel you have always said you were going to write. Draw inspiration from your surroundings — passing colours and shapes can stimulate parts of the brain that are normally neglected during you working routine. If however, your job requires you to be creative, then do the opposite — try a crossword or Sudoku puzzle.
Stimulate the body
If you can, walk or cycle to work — this will act as the perfect wakeup as well as getting you to your destination. However, if you are confined to a car, bus or train, how about getting the blood moving by listening to some upbeat music? If you drive, having a good sing can be uplifting and dissolves any inhibitions — it is great to know that nobody can hear you! You could also consider doing some neck and facial exercises or just squeezing a stress ball as you go. Even if you are stuck in traffic — there is always an opportunity to do a bit of stretching.
Get some fresh air
If you’ve been stuck in traffic, on a stuffy train or bus for some time, then make sure you get some fresh air — don’t just head straight for work. If possible, consider getting off a stop or two earlier, or even parking your car just that little bit further away. Of course, you will need to leave home just that bit earlier, but it will be worth it. You will feel more energised, stimulated, and you will have the opportunity to see things each day that you ordinarily wouldn’t have — all at no extra cost.
A final word
Commuting to work can be a challenging and stressful experience for many people, but with a little creativity you can make full use of that journey to ensure that you arrive on time and fresh for your day at work every day.
