Top tips to make the most of your commute

Here at FBD Insurance, we understand that a lot has changed about our working lives over the last few years. Travelling back and forth to our places of work can be challenging, particularly if the trip involves traffic, but there are ways to lessen the stress of the journey.

Whether you take public transport, get behind the wheel, or pound the pavements, we’ve got a couple of top tips to help you make the most of your commute.

If you travel by train, tram or bus

Public transport is a great way to get to work if regular services are available in your area. It’s better for the environment, and with someone else at the wheel, you get to take a bit of a breather. Some people might use the time to get ahead of work by answering emails, leafing through documentation or even correcting assignments. For others, reading or writing on the move is a one-way ticket to an upset tummy, so it’s safer to listen via your smartphone. Text to voice technology can convert long emails or notes into the spoken word and apps like Audible and Audm can narrate books and articles for you.

You could also use the time to take care of your mental health. Getting your thoughts down on paper by journaling is a good idea, and apps like Calm or Headspace offer guided meditations and soothing stories, helping you to wind down after a long day. If you’d prefer to take some well-deserved time out, reading a book, doing a crossword or playing a fun game on your phone are great ways to relax.

If you’re behind the wheel.

If you’re the one doing the driving, that limits your choices a little, but you can still make the most of your commute by putting technology to work before you set off. Apps such as Audible or Spotify can help you listen to music, books, podcasts and interviews – whether they’re nonfiction or fiction is entirely up to you. If you’re feeling more industrious, you could even take the opportunity to learn a new language by downloading a series of audio lessons or conversational guides and pressing ‘play’ before you begin driving. Over the last number of years, lots of universities and colleges have recorded lectures for just this reason, and many are free to download.

The humble radio has been keeping us entertained in the cabin for decades, and there is now a huge variety of stations and shows to choose from. Some people enjoy listening to current affairs while others like the breezy chats of morning presenters. Most of us have our favourite channel selected and ready to go when we turn on the engine, filling the speakers with classical, country and western or pop music. Listening to the car’s sound system can help your commute fly by, but always ensure that you follow the rules of the road and drive safely at all times – the RSA has a handy flyer with more information on staying safe (and legal) on the road.

If you’re on two wheels – or none

More and more people are cycling, scooting or walking to work these days, taking advantage of the time to get some exercise and fresh air on the way to and from the office. It can save money too, particularly if employees use the government’s Cycle to Work scheme to get a discount on their new bicycle. This tax incentive also covers safety equipment you’ll need, such as helmets or reflective vests (www.citizensinformation.ie).

If you’re cycling, you’ll need to make sure you’re being extra careful of your surroundings, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the spin too. More and more cycle paths are opening up, and the Greenways – mostly disused railway lines, linking old stations – can make for a particularly beautiful way to get to work. Cycling Ireland has a great selection of routes all around Ireland that might help you navigate a more fun commute in the great outdoors (www.cyclingireland.ie).

If you’re walking to work, that half an hour or so can be a great opportunity to catch up with friends and family by making calls. The person you’re phoning might be on their own commute so the early morning or later evening slot might suit them perfectly, particularly if they’re living abroad. Stopping to snap a photo of your local park or record a quick video of the changing seasons will help them feel connected from far away.

FBD has more than 500,000 customers in Ireland, including people in cities, towns and villages all across the country. We know that everyone’s day looks different, but however you travel to work, school, or university, FBD car insurance is here for you. With a range of fantastic benefits, local sales offices nationwide and telephone and online support, FBD's quality customer service is never far away.

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