Six ways to brighten your morning commute

There are plenty of simple things you can do on your morning drive to set yourself up for a wonderful day.

The morning commute is perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of the day. After your alarm has brutally yanked you out of the comfort of sleep, you’ve barely managed to get your continental breakfast down your neck before you’re out the door and into rush hour traffic. It doesn’t have to be this way. There are some great ways to make the morning commute a pleasure, helping you arrive at work with a spring in your step and a song in your heart.

Audio books

Are those early morning DJs getting you down with their chirpy banter and repetitive music? Someone so cultured shouldn’t have to tolerate that. You probably wish you had more time to read, so transport yourself to a different world with an audiobook. You could be on the moors with Heathcliff as you listen to Wuthering Heights, feel soothed as Stephen Fry shares the adventures of Harry Potter, or take a break from the traumas of the news with a relaxing listen to War of the Worlds.

Get a new air freshener

The right aroma can really set the tone for your day. You’ll probably have become numb to the delightful alpine scent of your air freshener so change it up with one of the more unusual fragrances available. Savour the scent of freshly baked bread or indulge in the sweet smell of chocolate and you’ll find your mood brightening before you even arrive at your workplace.

Learn a new language

We know it’s early but there’s always time to learn. There are loads of great podcast tutorials to help you master a new language, providing you with audio cues and letting you phonetically learn a new lexicon. Before you know it you’ll be fluent in conversational Italian and dreaming of a gondola commute through Venice.

Car share

Is there anything better than a sparkling conversation to start your day? Find a colleague who lives close by to share the journey to work. You’ll get to bond with this individual in a way you never could in the office, sharing stories, learning more about each other and building a shared experience that stays with you for life. If you’re both drivers then you’ll be reducing your mileage and your petrol costs, making this a doubly good idea.

Leave earlier

If your workplace allows you flexible working hours, then head in early and you’ll find that the commute goes so much faster. You’ll rule these quiet roads, arrive at a calm office and be able to get so much done before everyone else arrives to distract you with unnecessary emails.

Get some new shoes

Sure, your work shoes get you through the day and add to the perception that you’re an intelligent and well-dressed person, but that doesn’t mean that they’re right for driving. You need a pair of shoes that help you get in the mood for driving. Something comfortable that also allows you to feel alert and apply the correct amount of pressure to those pedals. Basically, you need some trainers. After getting your driving shoes, you might find you also want to get a full driving outfit, including a driving jacket, driving gloves and a special driving hat.