Are morning and evening commutes stressful for you? Don’t worry; you are not alone. Your daily commutes significantly impact your overall health and the environment.
Hence, adopting healthy commuting habits can benefit your well-being and the planet. This blog covers healthy commuting habits you must add to your routine. Read on to discover what they are.
7 Healthy Commuting Habits
1. Walk or Jog
Walking is a simple yet effective way to incorporate physical activity into your life. The best part about walking is you don’t need specialised equipment to do it. So, when you don’t have time to go to the gym, you can walk or jog to get your daily workout in.
Moreover, walking and jogging are excellent for your cardiovascular health. It allows you to start your day fresh and stay active throughout. It also helps you manage your weight while strengthening bones and muscles. Walking daily is also known to reduce the risk of diabetes and heart problems.
Furthermore, walking improves mental well-being by reducing stress and improving mood. To incorporate walking into your commute, use a route with sidewalks or pedestrian paths. Invest in comfortable shoes and brisk-walk to maximise the health benefits.
2. Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated throughout the day is important, particularly during your commute. Dehydration can affect your general health and cause fatigue. Therefore, it’s essential to prioritise hydration during your journey.
Carrying a water bottle is a convenient way to keep the body hydrated. Fill up your water bottle before leaving home. If your commute is long or involves walking or cycling, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Water helps you regulate body temperature and also lubricates the joints. Moreover, it prevents headaches and keeps your energy levels up. Thus, allowing you to stay focused and alert during your commute.
3. Consume Healthy Snacks
Packing healthy snacks for your commute helps avoid unhealthy food options or vending machine temptations. Carry nutritious snacks with essential nutrients to manage your blood sugar levels. Snacks that provide carbohydrates, protein, fiber, and healthy fats would be best. Here are a few healthy snack options:
- Apples
- Bananas
- Grapes
- Granola bars
- Dried fruits
- Roasted chickpeas
- Fresh Salads
- Trail Mix
- Healthy Sandwiches
You can prepare snacks the night before your bag for easy access during your commute.
4. Ride a Bike
Cycling is another great healthy commuting habit. This fast transportation option also lets you incorporate physical activity into your routine. It is a moderate-intensity exercise that offers numerous health benefits.
Regular cycling helps improve cardiovascular fitness and strengthens muscles. Moreover, cycling is an environmentally friendly mode of transport that reduces your carbon footprint.
Before cycling to work, ensure you are familiar with safe cycling practices. Always wear a helmet for protection. Use dedicated cycling paths and plan your routine to avoid delays. If your workplace is far away, consider combining cycling with public transport.
5. Ride Sharing or Carpooling
If everyone decides to carpool, it will significantly decrease the number of vehicles on the road. Ridesharing also decreases traffic congestion and saves money on fuel and parking expenses. Moreover, it allows you to connect with people while traveling. It also reduces stress by allowing you to share the costs and responsibilities of driving.
You can reach out to colleagues or neighbours in your area and discuss sharing rides. Set a schedule and determine pick-up and drop-off points that work for everyone. Carpooling is a flexible arrangement that allows you to decide on the frequency and duration according to your needs.
6. Open the Windows and Avoid Smoking
Getting fresh air while driving can do wonders for your focus while driving. Opening the window not only helps to improve air circulation within the car but also provides a refreshing experience during your commute.
Moreover, it may be tempting to light up a cigarette while driving if you’re a smoker. However, smoking in the car is not a healthy habit. Smoking in a confined space like your car can increase exposure to secondhand smoke, putting you and your passengers at risk. Establishing a smoke-free zone within your car is recommended to break this habit.
It is advised to remove cigarettes, lighters, or ashtrays from the car. Doing so eliminates the physical triggers and reduces the temptation to smoke. Also, remember to clean and freshen your car’s interior regularly to get rid of the smoke odour. You can prioritise the health of everyone in the car by making it a smoke-free zone.
7. Use Public Transport
Public transportation like taxis, buses, or trains is an excellent way to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. Thus, allowing you to reduce your carbon footprint. Moreover, it also allows you to incorporate physical activity by walking or cycling to and from the bus stops.
Although it may not undergo the same level of physical activity, it still encourages movement. This additional activity contributes to your daily physical activity levels and benefits your overall health.
Thus, consider walking or cycling to the nearest station or bus stop instead of relying on door-to-door transportation. Moreover, you can also get off a few stops earlier and walk the remaining distance to increase your step count.
Final Word
Do you want to reap the benefit of healthy commuting habits? Hire a taxi in Southampton to start ride-sharing with your colleagues. Go Comfort is a Southampton Taxi service offering comfortable, reliable, safe, and secure transportation. You can also book our executive chauffeur services for a luxury travel experience. Click here to book a ride, or contact us for more information.