For over a month now, I’ve managed to reap the benefits of a smooth commute to and from work. For 4 to 5 days a week, I’ve ridden my bicycle 1.5 miles to work, and 1.5 miles back home. Living in an area that’s practically a temperate forest, I’m surrounded by trees and a bit of wildlife here and there. Listening to my jazz music as I ride my bike down the back streets and long, quiet roads, I find myself in a state of mild bliss as I make my way to my daily job. And every day, I’m either early or on time with minimal effort, ready to start my day.
Riding my bike to and from work allows me to not only get a solid amount of exercise, but also allows me to be in my thoughts, mentally planning my day before work and planning my evening after work. It also allows me to de-stress after a long day, getting a good dose of the afternoon sun on my way home. Adding to that, I find that compared to my co-workers who drive to and from work, I’m less concerned about finding parking, as I secure my bicycle under a shady tree right off the parking lot. It adds a smooth and timely rhythm to my daily routine.
Compared to my commutes in The Bronx, my commutes lately have been productive and relaxing. Commuting in a major city had me at the mercy of so many challenges: trying to catch the bus and train on time, paying for cabs on days where mass transit is behind schedule, and rush hour trips home where the buses and subways are packed tighter than sardine cans. There were more than my fair share of days where the commute was even more frustrating than the work day.
While not everyone has the privilege of riding their bicycle to work, some of us do have methods of making our daily commute smoother. Some of us wake up early enough to beat the morning traffic, grab a breakfast, and come into work fresh and ready. Others have access to back roads that allow for a more scenic route than the main streets that most people travel on. There are various methods that allow us to avoid the headaches of a stressful commute.
Sometimes, even when morning gridlock is unavoidable, people use the time to catch up on their favorite audio activities, such as listening to the next chapter of their audio book, or listening to the latest episode of their favorite podcast. When I lived in the city, I used to listen to the latest episodes of Computer Talk Radio on my commutes home, just to keep my mind sharp with the latest current events in the tech industry. Even on those days where I was stuck in the sardine can that was the local subway, I still found ways to make my commute at least feel “smoother”.
Taking steps to de-stress yourself durning your commute can help free your thoughts for other things in your day that you may want to do. Planning on working on that side project of yours? Thinking of catching up with a friend or family member latter on in the week? Planning a fun family getaway? The less burned out you are mentally, the more energy you give yourself for the things that you want or need to do when you clock out.
As for myself, I’m looking forward to riding my bike home from work today. It’s a cloudy day, but the temperature is just right, the trees are as lush and green as ever, and the air is nice and clean. I’m making my trip home as therapeutic as can be.
Culture Fodder 