The commute has infamously been one of the most dreaded parts of the day. Many professionals often have to spend hours traveling to and from the office, which can often be a source of stress.
However, a new study from researchers at University College London shows that this travel may actually benefit worker’s mental and physical health, as well as their work-life balance.
The research showed that nearly half of the 3,000 respondents said taking in the scenery when on the train is the best part of going to work. Additionally, a quarter said they used these travels as “me time.”
Even more, the study revealed that some people have been recreating the commute experience in order to create more structure in their work day.
“The commute delineates boundaries between home and work life and can be used to switch one off and transition to the other, which can have a positive impact on cognitive performance, wellbeing and productivity,” said Joseph Devlin, the neuroscientist who led the study. “Just going to work generates more diverse experiences than working from home, especially through interactions with other people.”