How to Recharge as You Commute Back Home From Work

Instead of your commute being nothing but downtime, here are 5 apps that can help you be more productive on your daily commute.

With many companies embracing a remote working model, you may not find the motivation to go to your office. It is especially true if you live far from your workplace. However, traveling to in-person work can have a positive impact on you. Let's look at a few ideas to make your commute worthwhile.

Why Enjoy Your Commute?

Working at home can be convenient and time-saving, but it's refreshing for your mind and body when you show up at your workplace.

Daily rituals like getting ready in the morning and commuting to your workplace give you something to look forward to and offer you a sense of stability. Moreover, you can focus better when you're at your workplace. You also get to meet your colleagues, and brainstorming in a conference room is more productive and distraction-free than on Zoom.

Over and above that, commute acts as an interim between your work life and personal life. Do you often feel that your days are dragging on without any structure while working at home? Blame it on working round-the-clock; when you're working remotely, it is easy to forget to press the pause button at the end of the day.

On the other hand, once you're in a subway or bus, or your car, you get a sense of accomplishment for having finished the work for the day, and you look forward to spending the rest of your evening with your loved ones.

So, take a moment to appreciate the time you spend going to and coming back from work. Then, check out our ideas to use your commute time for your personal growth.

Things to Do During Your Commute

From learning to cook up a storm to becoming a budgeting pro, here are a few ideas to make the most of your commute.

1. Master Mindfulness With UCLA Mindful

UCLA Mindful is a meditation app from UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC). The app is rooted in research on the mind-body connection.

Mindfulness is the practice of being in the present moment and paying attention to the physical, mental, and emotional changes at that particular moment. When you regularly practice mindfulness meditation, you can positively change your brain. As a result, you can experience better health and immunity and enjoy less stress and improved focus.

The app has a functional and simple interface without any bells or whistles. The short guided meditation sessions can help improve your sleep and health conditions like pain. You can also bookmark and listen to weekly podcasts from UCLA's Hammer Museum.

If you're always pressed for time, install this app now. You can seamlessly include meditation into your commute and reap all its benefits.

Download: UCLA Mindful for iOS | Android (Free)

2. Become a Master Chef With Tasty

A few years ago, Tasty's short, drool-worthy food videos broke new grounds on the internet. Soon enough, the popular website from the house of BuzzFeed launched its Tasty app.

The app features its characteristic top-down food videos, in addition to ingredient lists and step-by-step instructions. The users can also post pictures and offer tips to enhance the experience. You can also generate shopping lists for your favorite recipes.

From flavorsome vegan recipes to delectable comfort foods, Tasty has them all--with eye-popping visuals. Download Tasty today and impress your family tonight with your culinary skills.

Not in the mood to browse recipes? You can read the food stories from BuzzFeed through the Guides section.

Download: Tasty foriOS | Android (Free)

3. Widen Your Horizons With CuriosityStream

CuriosityStream is a video streaming service founded by John Hendricks, the founder of Discovery Channel. Full of intriguing films and documentaries related to science, space, environment, and technology, CuriosityStream is sure to kindle your inner curiosity and urge you to learn more about the world around you.

You can get the subscription service for under 20 dollars per year, with an option to pay monthly or annually. The CuriosityStream app is free for iOS and Android--you have all the knowledge at your fingertips.

Stephen Hawking's Favorite Places and David Attenborough's Light on Earth are some award-winning documentaries you should check out.

Are you using a subway with no connectivity? Fret Not. The videos are downloadable, so you don't have to miss your daily dose of learning.

Download: CuriosityStream for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases available)

4. Tune Into Yourself With 5 Minute Journal

5 Minute Journal is built upon the concept of positive psychology, which states that positive experiences like happiness and gratitude can make you a better person. By writing your thoughts regularly, you will be mindful of the positive experiences and become happier in the long run.

Even if you're not looking for any therapeutic benefits, writing a journal comes in handy for various reasons. When you jot down all the tidbits of information, you're also sharpening your memory. What's more, you flex your writing muscles when you write every day, thereby taking your writing up a notch.

Don't feel like writing? Don't worry. The app comes with prompts and intuitive suggestions to get you started on your journal.

In the upgraded version of the app, you can add media like photos and videos. You can also see insights into your mood and frequently used words.

Download: 5 Minute Journal for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases available)

5. Be Financially Savvy With Mint

Mint is one of our favorite budgeting apps that has won many awards and accolades. No one likes to sit for hours doing their finances. With Mint, all your financial data is under one roof, so all you need is a few minutes during your commute.

You can sync your accounts and credit card with your secure Mint account and let the app do all the budgeting work for you. The app will track your income, spending, and savings and help you attain your financial goals.

Mint has other features like bill payment reminders, customizable expense lists, spending charts, and financial goals. You can also check your credit score for free.

Not a finance person? Mint Stories is here to your rescue. The section has tidbits of information to help you boost your financial literacy.

Download: Mint for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases available)

Disconnect, Unwind, and Recharge

It may be tempting to quickly check your email or do some additional work when commuting from work, but it is essential to take a break after an exhausting workday to avoid burnout. Your brain will function better with some downtime.

Besides, if you enjoy your “personal” time during your commute, you'll be fully available for your family once you're back home. Your loved ones deserve it!