Best ways to pass your commute

While the work from home lifestyle has become the new norm, there are many benefits for coming into the office and seeing colleagues in person—even if it’s just for the occasional meeting. Whether you’re commuting to London or are travelling elsewhere in the South West, do your bit for the environment and make the most of public transport. Catching the train also allows you to get on with other things and leave the driving to someone else, without the stress of traffic jams or finding a parking spot.

Travelling to work by rail may leave you with a lot of time to fill, so why not make a plan for things to do on your train commute? Read on to discover some interesting and productive things you can do to pass time while commuting.

How to pass time when commuting

Read a book

Reading is beneficial for our mental health and has been found to reduce stress, but it can be hard to find time to sit down with a good book when our lives are so busy. Luckily, the commute to work offers the perfect opportunity to pick up that book you’ve been meaning to read for a while. If you struggle to concentrate with background noise, then try bringing along some earplugs or noise cancelling earphones so you can really immerse yourself in your book.

Looking for inspiration for your next book? The South West is brimming with literary hotspots, so why not choose a book inspired by one of the locations on your journey? You could even swing by one of the South West’s best independent book shops to pick up your next read.

Catch up on work

Sometimes, the best way to stimulate your brain while travelling for business is to get productive and catch up on some work. Beginning your work from the train gets you ahead of the game before you’ve even arrived at the office, while getting you in the right headspace for a day of work. Bring your laptop and charger along for the journey and make the most of our on-board services such as our free on-board Wi-Fi and charging ports, or simply catch up on emails using your phone.

Watch a film or series

It seems like there’s always new films or must-see series coming out and not enough time to watch them, so while you’re travelling to and from work, why not make the most of the time you have available? Bring along your headphones, plug your phone and laptop into one of our charging ports and enjoy your film. To protect your device’s battery and minimise any buffering risks, it’s a good idea to download your film before embarking on your journey.

Listen to a podcast

Podcasts are a great way to pass the time, and with hundreds of thousands of podcasts available on many different streaming sites, there’s bound to be one that takes your fancy. From comedy shows to business chats, there’s a podcast for every mood—try to download your podcast prior to your journey so it’s ready for you to listen to.

Learn something new

As we grow up, we’re constantly learning new skills, but as we get older and our time becomes more limited, it can be difficult to fit learning into our lives. Luckily, the train commute gives you the perfect opportunity to learn a new skill, whether you fancy learning a new language, teaching yourself how to knit, reading up on culinary tips or trying your hand at photography. Learn from podcasts, videos or books, and don’t forget to document your progress!

Do a crossword or sudoku

Puzzles are a great way to keep your brain fit and healthy while passing time on your commute. Choose from a range of free puzzles on your phone, or if you want a break from your screen, bring along a good old fashioned puzzle book and pen. From crosswords and sudoku to word searches and ‘spot the differences’, there are so many puzzles to keep your brain engaged on your commute.

Journal

Not only is journaling great for staying organised, but it’s also really beneficial to your mental health. Even something as simple as listing your top five gratitudes every day can help you have a more positive outlook towards life. You can journal in whatever way works best for you — some people prefer to get out their thoughts in a mind map, while others choose to write bullet points or paragraphs.

Meditate

Meditation is another contributor towards better mental health and is one of the most beneficial things to do while commuting. You can meditate wherever and whenever, and you don’t necessarily need to be sitting cross-legged surrounded by candles for it to work! Since meditation is all about calming your mind and recognising your thought patterns, it’s best to have some noise cancelling headphones to keep you from getting distracted. Set a timer for your meditation practice and focus on clearing your mind and staying in the present moment.

Get planning

We’ve all had the feeling of overwhelm when it seems as if there’s too much going on, and planning helps to calm these feelings of anxiety. Your commute gives you lots of time to reflect, so why not use this time to your advantage and get organised? Use a planner to record meetings, birthdays, coffee dates and important occasions, and consult your planner whenever you need it. You’ll never forget a birthday again!

Enjoy the scenery

How often do you give yourself time to simply sit back, relax and do absolutely nothing? During your commute, the scenery can change drastically from rugged coastal towns and sweeping hilltops to busy cities and towering skylines—and sometimes we can forget to take in how beautiful this is. Put your phone onto ‘do not disturb’, get comfortable in your seat and pay attention to the view outside the window. If you’re standing or in an aisle seat, people watching can be just as amusing!

From brain-training puzzles to captivating reads, there’s so much you can do to fill your time on your commute to work. Discover our flexible range of train season tickets to the right one for your journey and use the SWR smartcard to make your journey that little bit easier.