<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Listen to a Podcast<\/h2>\n\n\n\n The great thing about podcasts is that there are so many of them, on every subject you could think of. Listening to something that interests you is a great way to pass the time. You could learn something new with each cycle to and from work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TED Talks are world famous now and there are literally thousands to choose from. They can be funny, inspiring, motivating or informative. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n3. Listen to an Audiobook<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Even those who aren\u2019t great readers can get immersed in a good audiobook. And if you are a great reader? Perfect. With apps like Audible and BorrowBox, there\u2019s no shortage of choice. Losing yourself in a good story will make the time (and the distance) whizz by.<\/p>\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n4. Meditate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Meditating even for a short period, a few times a week, can have an incredibly positive effect on mental and physical wellbeing. Many people now are discovering mindfulness <\/em>meditation, which can help to calm your mind and let go of any negative thoughts. Doing this on the move is just as effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMindfulness meditation can help to generate a feeling of balance, openness and harmony with your thoughts, which may be racing as you consider the day ahead. It can even help reduce stress and depression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are numerous apps with hundreds of different guided meditations to choose from. My personal favourite is Buddhify, which is free. But you don\u2019t even need an app. You can be mindful of the movement, your thoughts, your breathing, the sensations of cycling. All of this should see you arriving at work with a relaxed and positive mindset. Ready for anything. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n5. Phone a Friend<\/h2>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s nothing like a good chat. With hectic schedules we don\u2019t always find enough time to catch up with our friends or family regularly. The time it takes you to cycle to work is a perfect window of opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether you\u2019re chatting about the day ahead of you, catching up on gossip or putting the world to rights, spending time to talk with a good friend is a great mood-enhancer. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n6. Learn a Language<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Your cycle commute to work could be a highly productive one if you use the time to study. Learning a new language can improve your memory and enhance communication skills. It can also encourage creativity and even make your brain bigger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Imagine how much you could learn in just a few months of commuting. All that time spent on two wheels could have you speaking French, Chinese, Greek, or any language that you choose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And learning a language is also an effective distancer from racing, work-related thoughts. Putting your focus onto something else entirely, even for a short time, offers a welcome mental break. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n7. Sing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Singing is free, fun and liberating. Why not sing as you cycle? You don\u2019t have to be the best singer in the world, but for those brave enough to do so, you\u2019ll almost certainly be making those around you smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Singing can also reduce stress. It\u2019s been proven to lower cortisol (the stress hormone), which can make you feel more relaxed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And if anyone thinks you\u2019re mad for belting out Mr. Brightside on a bike? Let them. The important thing is you\u2019ll be having fun, and you\u2019ll be taking all of that glorious and emboldened energy into work with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8. Play an Observational Game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n If you just want to pass the time without thinking too much, counting things you see is an easy game to play, and surprisingly enjoyable. You could count white vans, speedbumps, people with hats or open windows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In fact, you can count just about anything. Let your imagination go wild. Just make sure you keep your eye on the road too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9. Count How Many People You Can Say Hello To<\/h2>\n\n\n\n On the subject of counting, see how many people you can smile and say hello to as you cycle. It\u2019s a small gesture that can make a difference to someone else\u2019s day as well as your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It may sound a bit naff, but I promise<\/em> you, you\u2019ll arrive at work in a good mood if you do this. Even if you\u2019re in a foul mood to start with, if you force yourself to be positive and friendly your mind will eventually just give in to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SOURCE: Unsplash.com<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n10. Make Audio Notes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n So, this may not be the most exhilarating activity, but making notes while cycling to work is a constructive way of using the time. Note-taking helps you feel organised and prepared, and the underrated \u201clist\u201d can generate real peace of mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether you\u2019re concentrating on a work issue or shopping items to pick up on the way home, your bike commute is an ideal time to structure your thoughts. There\u2019s plenty of evidence to suggest that exercise helps us to think more clearly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
11. Visualise Things You Want to Achieve<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Ok, so I may be pushing the boat out a bit here. But as you\u2019re taking the time to cycle to work anyway, why not try a bit of visualisation? This is the practice of using all of your senses to create a mental image of the goals you\u2019d like to achieve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Try also, to connect the image with the emotion of the achievement, and a sense of \u2018knowing\u2019 it will happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s that concept again of creating positivity. Think about the things you want to accomplish in the day ahead or in life in general. Many believe that visualising these things helps to attain them. And you never know, it just might work.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Cycling to work is positive in so many ways. It\u2019s free, healthy, sustainable, and we know that exercise is also great for lowering stress levels and improving mental health. If you\u2019re new to it, be rest assured that cycling to…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":15504,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"MSN_Categories":"Uncategorized","MSN_Publish_Option":false,"MSN_Is_Local_News":false,"MSN_Is_AIAC_Included":"Empty","MSN_Location":"[]","MSN_Add_Feature_Img_On_Top_Of_Post":false,"MSN_Has_Custom_Author":false,"MSN_Custom_Author":"","MSN_Has_Custom_Canonical_Url":false,"MSN_Custom_Canonical_Url":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1734],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
What to Do While Cycling to Work? [11 Great Ideas]<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n