It's off to work we go!

It’s off to work Do you arrive as chirpy as when you left home?

You might wake up feeling on top of the world, but by the time you’ve faced long delays, done an imitation of a sardine in a tin or been stuck in a traffic jam, your stress levels are sky high! Research shows that commuting has a negative impact on your well-being.

Anxiety levels

Commuters are more likely to suffer joint pain and insomnia. People who take the train have higher anxiety levels than those who drive a car. Cyclists might enjoy better physical fitness, but they have the highest anxiety levels of any other mode of transport. Oh dear, it’s amazing we get any work done!

Chill out zone

Stay in your happy place and get the most out of your travel time with the following: l Create your own calming playlist with Spotify, a digital music service. Listen free with adverts or pay £9.99 a month with a free trial. l Learn to meditate with Headspace. Zone out for 10 mins and arrive at your workplace in a bubble of calm. Free trial, then £9.95 a month or £5.99 for a year at www.headspace.com/buy

l At last it’s cool for adults to colour in! No need for pencils, just tap and colour with an app like Colorfy. l Use the time to improve your mind with a free scrabble app. Play solo or with just about anyone. l Listen to podcasts. They’re like radio shows on the Internet you can listen to anytime. Download through an app and you don’t even need an Internet connection. There’s thousands to choose from. l Don’t like technology? Read a book or knit. l Give a blessing to fellow commuters, especially the person irritating you. A blessing is a wish from your heart for others. All that positive energy will attract good karma as well as having an immediate effect on your well-being.