Young woman using a smartphone in a subway By Rawpixel.com | www.shutterstock.com
Young woman using a smartphone in a subway By Rawpixel.com | www.shutterstock.com

I have never been more bored with my life is what most of you must be saying just about now. It’s also what I’ve been saying but the truth is I’ve been this bored before. After quitting my job as a Fashion Stylist, I took a 6-month sabbatical and while I loved having the free time to think and just be. I was genuinely bored outta my witts. And even though I now work from home every single day and am pretty productive on a day to day basis, I still feel stir crazy! It’s because I miss my commute back and forth. The wind in my hair from that rickshaw ride would wake me up and keep me going for the rest of my day! Do you feel me?

Anyway, every day I’d spend at least 5-10 minutes mumbling to myself about how I wish there were more hours in the day. And how I’d pull a Beyonce if there were. And now I actually have more time but, of course under very unfortunate circumstances. But let’s not get down on ourselves and have a lil’ pity party. I’m here with a list of cool suggestions for you to do to fill that commute time. For starters, I’d sleep more, but just kidding cause I’ve got to give you some real pointers!

Here’s how you can maximise productivity with your extra commute time:

1. Yoga session

Nothing feels better than a nice stretch. The body tenses up from all that working from your bed, or being hunched over at your lunch table. And like you need to mentally unwind so does the body. Even if you’re a runner, walker or workout, nothing beats a stretch before you indulge in any physical activity. I think this is the nicest way to fill that commute time.

Portrait of gorgeous young woman practicing yoga indoor. Beautiful girl practice cobra asana in class. Calmness and relax, female happiness. Horizontal, blurred background By SFIO CRACHO | www.shutterstock.com
Portrait of gorgeous young woman practising yoga indoor. Beautiful girl practises cobra asana in class. Calmness and relax female happiness. Horizontal, blurred background By SFIO CRACHO | www.shutterstock.com

2. HIIT workout

High-intensity interval training is a cardiovascular exercise including periods of intense exercises with shorter recovery periods. These intense workouts last for about 30 minutes or less, depending on your current fitness levels. Nothing like getting those endorphins while remaining fit. Let’s face it, we’re all going to over-eat during this quarantine and are going to need to not lose ourselves. So get cracking already.

HIIT Workout on the Beach By Joshua Manore | www.shutterstock.com
HIIT Workout on the Beach By Joshua Manore | www.shutterstock.com

3. Listen to a podcast or some guided meditation on YouTube

Listen to a podcast, there’s plenty of them out there that will allow you to multi-task. That’s the best part about listening; it doesn’t necessarily affect the rest of your cognitive functioning. This is why you’re able to listen to music and still complete your work. Guided meditations on YouTube are my jam—nothing like setting your day right with setting a positive intention and learning how to manifest your dreams and desires.

Podcast app in a mobile phone at the office By David MG | www.shutterstock.com
Podcast app in a mobile phone at the office By David MG | www.shutterstock.com

4. Read a book

I’m not an avid reader anymore, but if I do pick up a book then I’d try to read at least one whole chapter in my designated commute time. Try, because there’s nothing like expanding your vocabulary.

White cozy bed and a beautiful girl, reading a book, concepts of home and comfort, place for text By PV productions | www.shutterstock.com
White cozy bed and a beautiful girl, reading a book, concepts of home and comfort, place for text By PV productions | www.shutterstock.com

5. Journal your thoughts

This is my favourite part of the day, I like writing out my feelings because I have too many of them. Writing gives me clarity. I love making lists of what I need to do and I love ticking things off that list as well. Just little things that bring me joy.

Beautiful young asian woman laying on bed and writing a diary. Smiling brunette lady with notebook and pen in her hands. Modern bright home interior on background By popcorner | www.shutterstock.com
Beautiful young asian woman laying on bed and writing a diary. Smiling brunette lady with notebook and pen in her hands. Modern bright home interior on background By popcorner | www.shutterstock.com

6. Dance it out

If you’ve ever seen an episode of Grey’s Anatomy then you know what I’m talking about. Pull a Cristina Yang and Meredith Grey and turn on your music and dance it out like no one’s watching. Because the truth is, no one is watching.

Cheerful mother little daughter standing in living room dancing to favourite song together with her child By fizkes | www.shutterstock.com
Cheerful mother little daughter standing in living room dancing to favourite song together with her child By fizkes | www.shutterstock.com

7. Savour your morning routine

Brush your teeth, enjoy your hot or cold shower, eat a nice hearty breakfast and drink a nice cup of tea or coffee whilst you read the news. Slow your thoughts. Just sit with yourself before you return to chaos.

Cute girl enjoying morning coffee on the porch By AstroStar | www.shutterstock.com
Cute girl enjoying morning coffee on the porch By AstroStar | www.shutterstock.com

8. Play a quick mobile game

Nothing gets me roaring for the day like a nice mobile game. Who doesn’t love a good win? I play Clash Royale and honestly, I’m addicted! A quick game was always part of my daily commute to work anyway, TBH! Do you have a favourite game that you have to play every day? Let me know in the comments!

Portrait of teenage gamer boy playing video games on smartphone and computer in dark room wearing headphones and using backlit colorful keyboard By Dean Drobot | www.shutterstock.com
Portrait of teenage gamer boy playing video games on smartphone and computer in dark room wearing headphones and using backlit colorful keyboard By Dean Drobot | www.shutterstock.com

9. Go for a walk or a run

If you like, take a quick walk in your area especially if you don’t have a lavish building compound at your disposal. Else go for a run to get your adrenaline pumping.

Sport and fitness runner man running on road training for marathon run doing high intensity interval training sprint workout outdoors in summer. Male athlete sports model fit and healthy aspirations. By Maridav | www.shutterstock.com
Sport and fitness runner man running on road training for marathon run doing high intensity interval training sprint workout outdoors in summer. Male athlete sports model fit and healthy aspirations. By Maridav | www.shutterstock.com

10. Watch a quick Netflix episode

Nothing I love more than watching a quick episode of Friends while putting on my makeup for work. I can still do that even if I work from home. It’s nice to wake up to positive energy and laughter.

Bangkok, Thailand - January 8, 2018 : Netflix app on Laptop screen. Netflix is an international leading subscription service for watching TV episodes and movies By sitthiphong | www.shutterstock.com
Bangkok, Thailand – January 8, 2018 : Netflix app on Laptop screen. Netflix is an international leading subscription service for watching TV episodes and movies By sitthiphong | www.shutterstock.com

11. Text or call a loved one

I don’t live with my boyfriend so I like beginning my day with a text to him or even a 5-minute phone call to him. I just feel so much better beginning my day with the sound of his lovely voice. Blushes

Young man and woman talking to each other through a video call on a smartphone. Young woman having a videochat with man on mobile phone. Woman sitting at a coffee shop By Jacob Lund | www.shutterstock.com
Young man and woman talking to each other through a video call on a smartphone. Young woman having a videochat with man on mobile phone. Woman sitting at a coffee shop By Jacob Lund | www.shutterstock.com

12. Take a breath

Pause. Breathe. Feel your surroundings. Give thanks for what you have. And then go back and rule the day like the shark that you are. Chomping away bit by bit at your task list.

Relaxed calm woman resting breathing fresh air feeling mental balance enjoying wellbeing at home on sofa, satisfied young lady taking pleasure of stress free weekend morning stretching on couch By fizkes | www.shutterstock.com
Relaxed calm woman resting breathing fresh air feeling mental balance enjoying wellbeing at home on sofa, satisfied young lady taking pleasure of stress free weekend morning stretching on couch By fizkes | www.shutterstock.com

The fact remains that you can be a sloth and sleep those extra few minutes or you can wake up and embrace your life. Be grateful for every waking minute that puts into focus the privileged lives we are living. Have fun with everything that you do. I hope this list persuades you to do more with your extra commute time!