Reading is one luxury that people who drive cannot afford, whereas, nothing can beat commute boredom better than a good book while on the metro.

To keep abreast of the latest books, join a bookclub. Celebrities like Emma Watson (@oursharedshelf) and Reese Witherspoon(#RWBookClub) have their own.

By following their feeds you could actually be having a conversation with them on their choice of books and throw some suggestions of your own while at it.

Podcasts are always on our day’s to-do list. So why not listen to it on the commute? Lena Dunham‘s Women Of The Hour features discussions and interviews with, well, the women-of-the-hour—Emma Stone and Zadie Smith hold court as well—all the way to fun need-to-know trivia.

Then, if you want more on the latest reads, there’s the New Yorker: Fiction podcast. This one’s for you if you are an aspiring writer with its expert analyses.

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Emails take up a lot of precious work time so while on your commute to work, use that time wisely and catch up on your emails instead.

That way, you’re caught up on everything that needs to be done and you’re better able to focus on your day.

Organise your day—in your mind. Jot down the things you really need to get done for the day (the rest are a bonus). David Allen, author of Getting Things Done insists that you have to prioritise in order to be productive. Don’t set yourself up for more than is practical, or you will end up with more lists than completed jobs.

Sharpen your senses before jumping into your day. Certain essential oils help awaken your brain. If you are driving, slip in a diffuser with either orange or lemon essential oil. Dab a few drops on your wrists before you get into the bus or train. It goes a long way in escaping from the sweat smells of your co-passengers.

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Zen is a good way to start your day—take 10 minutes to centre yourself. Whether you are standing or sitting down, place feet firmly on the ground and inhale and exhale deeply a few times with your eyes closed.

This is especially great if you are having butterflies in your stomach about an important meeting. If you have a bit more time, slip in a few extra minutes of quiet meditation.

Train your brain. Who doesn’t like playing games on the phone to bide time on their commute?

Apps such as Elevate and Peak not just keep you occupied and entertained, but help develop your problem solving and communication skills. They are like your personal mind coaches.

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Exercise—nothing comes even close to it when it comes to jump-starting your entire system.

If you can, save yourself from a crowded commute and opt to walk, run or cycle to work. You never know what you might observe new about your surroundings. It’s also unmatched “me” time. Change your route now and then, you may even discover new grab-and-go places.

Not just that, it will help you reach the 150 minutes per week of activity time recommended by cardiologists. Strap on your fitness tracker and challenge yourself.

Text: Sandhya Mahadevan/ Harper’s Bazaar 

Additional Reporting: Atika Lim 

Photos: Pexels