Cut Out The Commute
How long is your morning commute? Many people find themselves waking up in a good mood only to feel soured by the time they arrive at their workplace, and it might be chalked up to a long, stressful commute. Getting to work should not feel like a trek across Middle Earth into Mordor, okay?
In 2017, a survey from Gallup found that extreme commutes—90 minutes or longer—had rapidly increased across the nation, while the population with commutes shorter than 10 minutes had shrank. Meanwhile, another study revealed that, optimally, your commute should be no longer than 20-25 minutes in length.
Instead of trying to compensate for an outrageously stressful commute that dumps your system with unhelpful cortisol and leaves you sitting for an uncomfortable length of time with a bigger house or a nicer car, opt for less of a ride. The same survey from Gallup also found that those who worked from home once in a while had greater work engagement. Maybe it is time to talk to your boss about some telecommuting instead.
If you can’t reduce your commute for work, then maybe you should consider all the other times you get in a car. For example, if you live close to the grocery store or to a park, why not get a bike instead? You can do things that counteract the commute to find more balance in your life.
