Do you feel tired, anxious, or irritable when you arrive at work? Stressful daily commutes might be the culprit!
Traveling to work for long hours, sitting through noisy traffic jams, and navigating crowded public transportation while worrying about delays can take a toll on your mental health. A poor commuting experience can even lead to feelings of isolation and tip your work-life balance.
Thankfully, you can avoid this situation and take care of your mental health before you burn out. Here are some strategies for coping and finding support.
Why Reducing Commute-Related Stress Matters For Your Mental Health
A recent study conducted by the American Psychological Association found that long commutes decreased the quality of life. The effects of tiring commutes also add up in the long term, leading to lowered satisfaction, increased exhaustion, and increased levels of cortisol, a stress hormone.
A similar study by the University of Cambridge saw that employees with commutes longer than 30 minutes suffered negative impacts on their mental health. Around 33% are more likely to suffer from depression, and 12% are more likely to experience work-related stress.
What’s worse, the chronic stress of commuting can spill over into other areas of life. Personal relationships can get affected, which can lead to feelings of loneliness. A survey led by Totaljobs saw that the bulk of commuters in the United Kingdom reported feeling uneasy or stressed out during their commute. Around 41% of them said that it affected their mental health.
4 Strategies For Preventing Commuter Stress
Here are some strategies you can implement in your day-to-day life to keep commute stress at a minimum.
- Plan ahead: One of the most effective ways to reduce commuter stress is to plan your journey in advance. Before you head out, take a look at the traffic in your area. Keep abreast of public transportation schedules and see if there are any delays due to bad weather forecasts. Then, you can alter your route or inform your workplace.
- Make a calming commute routine: Long commutes do not have to be boring or stressful! Try to make your commute as relaxing as possible by creating a routine that helps you unwind. For example, you can listen to calming music or guided meditation tapes. You can also learn on the go with audiobooks and podcasts.
- Work remotely: If your workplace follows a hybrid workplace model, see if you can handle your responsibilities remotely on some days of the week.
- Change your work hours: If your workplace offers flexible work hours, change your commute time. This way, you can avoid rush hour and stay productive at work.
- Opt for a different route: Try taking an alternative route for work if possible to beat the stress of traffic or crowded public transport.
- Try shared commuter transport: If driving to work is a major stressor for you, then carpooling can be an excellent way to commute to the office. Look for carpool companies that offer shared transport services. You can also use carpool apps to connect with fellow commuters in your area.
How to Cope With Commuter Stress
If you observe signs of commuter stress in your daily life, you can try some of these coping techniques:
- Seek professional help: Visit a mental health professional if you are experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and chronic stress.
- Try holistic healing methods: Take a break from work and take a nature retreat. Other holistic methods of healthcare, like Yoga, meditation, plant therapy, etc., have also been proven to reduce stress and improve mental health.
- Join support groups: Group therapy can be as effective as one on one sessions. You can also find online groups to find support for depression, stress, and anxiety.
- Explore workplace resources: If your workplace offers employee assistance programs or wellness initiatives, explore them and assess how they can help boost your mental health.
In Summary
Mental health gets significantly impacted due to commuter stress, leading to increased stress, depression, and anxiety among people. However, there are strategies to prevent and tackle these negative impacts.
Planning ahead, taking control of your schedule, and having a relaxed atmosphere can go a long way in avoiding commute-related stress. Being in a routine that suits your lifestyle and rejuvenating the mind through mindfulness can reduce the negative effects of commuter stress.
Employers can help their staff steer clear of commute stress by providing shared office transport. Office shuttles, buses, and shared rides take away the stress of driving. They also help employees avoid crowded public transport and prevent unnecessary delays.
If you have been affected by commute-related stress, don’t worry. You can seek professional help, join support groups, talk to your friends and family, and use your workspace resources and policies to your advantage. These will provide valuable support for handling stressful situations like commuting. Remember that your mental health is important not just for being productive at work but also for the overall quality of life.
Visit MoveInSync to make your employee commutes more efficient, pleasant, and productive for all stakeholders.
