Cut down on those winter commuting blues

Lifeworks

British Summer Time is behind us now, and beat the winter commuter bluesConnection is here to help you deal with those long, dark evenings - and the winter commute. Many of us will be leaving home in the dark, and then leaving work in the dark, but it shouldn't be all doom and gloom.

Work Wise UK and the RAC Foundation have made a set of recommendations for those of us who groan at the prospect of five months in the dark, many of which involve more flexible working practises, paying better attention to health & wellness, and looking after stress.

Work Wise UK’s chief executive, Phil Flaxton, said: “Workers here already have the second longest average daily commute in Europe: in many cases adding an entire working day each week. Add to this the misery, tension and delays of traffic congestion and overcrowding on trains, tubes and buses, and now the prospect of travelling to and from work in the dark for many months: it is no surprise that many succumb to depression and despondency.”

Here are Work Wise UK and the RAC's top tips for the winter commute:

Travel at a different time
Most commuters leave between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.. As the week goes on, people tend to leave earlier, with a view to leaving work earlier for the weekend. The RAC believes that even if a small percentage of motorists commute outside of peak hours, congestion will ease considerably.
Work at home
More and more people are using broadband to access their business networks from home. If everyone were to work just one day per week at home, the number of commuters on the road would drop by 20%, reducing congestion and over-crowding on public transport significantly.
Teleconference
Cut down on travel by using online tools and video conferencing via webcams. Workwise also recommends using wikis - collaborative web pages that allow people to brainstorm ideas without having to meet face to face.
Take a detour
The RAC Foundation/Trafficmaster Congestion Index found that using a different route to get to work can save time by avoiding congestion on their usual route.
Try two wheels instead of four
The RAC Foundation's analysis of government statistics revealed that commuters could save time by using a motorcycle or a scooter to get to work - in some cases, up to three hours per week.
Get on your bike
According to the RAC, the average commute is 8.7 miles, which most people could cycle in about half an hour. Not only could you cut down time, but you could transform your commute into an exercise session, and save money in gym subscriptions!
Get your car checked-up
Millions of people are now travelling home in the dark, and their cars are badly prepared. Check and maintain your lights now - the RAC says that in 2005, over one million cars failed their MoT test due to lighting defects.
Stretch
Shake off that tension by doing a few stretches at red lights instead of gripping the wheel and grinding your teeth.
Do something nice
Let someone in ahead of you. Doing good for others creates an enormous sense of wellbeing and reduces stress.
Give someone a lift
Share the journey to work with a friend. You will help cut down on congestion and relieve the stress of the commute by having someone to chat with.

Find out more about stress management, part of employee assistance programmes, which could help your employees with the winter blues.

Appreciate candid advice on day-to-day issues? Visit the HR Blogger, with Ceridian LifeWorks guru, Paul Avis.

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