ALT-4 The Daily Grind how Commuting is Bad for the Soul
There are many different types of commuting depending on what area of the country you live in. Some have more benefits than others and some have more cons and depending on which one you have to deal with on a daily basis, it will feel like the worst one. Listed below are a few of the different types of commutes and the pros and cons for each:
The City Bus makes for a long day. You have to catch the bus early to be able to get to work on time because it has many stops along the way. It also makes for a late night heading home for the same reasons. If you miss your bus, then you have to find alternate transportation. You don't have to pay for the gas, you just have to pay for your bus ticket, which in the long run is cheaper. You have an opportunity to catch up on your reading or extra work you need to take care of before you get home.
The Subway or trains has many of the same attributes of the city bus except that because it is located away from traffic flows you don't have to worry about traffic jams or accidents. You know what time your train will arrive and what time you will get home without having to deal with the normal delays associated with vehicular traffic.
If you live close enough to your work you can walk. This has several benefits. One it is healthy to walk, you just have to make sure you bundle up in winter so that you don't get too cold. Another benefit is you don't have to worry about being late to catch your bus or train and you don't have to deal with traffic concerns. But a drawback from walking is if you get out of work late there can be dangers associated with walking around after dark. If this happens you might want to decide to take a taxi home.
When most people thinking about commuting they think about a personal vehicle. As most people know this can be a stressful experience. People are in a hurry, they aren't paying attention or they just don't care, all of this can lead to road rage and most of us have been subjected to it at one time or another. You also have to pay for the gasoline to travel to and from work, this can get expensive. Not to mention the maintenance you need to have done on your vehicle on a regular basis. But there are benefits to driving your own car to and from work. One of those is that you have control of the radio and can listen to books on tape, the radio, cds and even cassettes. You don't have to worry about missing your bus or train because your car will be waiting for you when you get out of work. You do have to be careful when you are going to your car, be vigilant about the things and people around you. There are predators out there who are waiting for you to not be paying attention and will take advantage of the situation.
Commuting is a stressful time, no matter what mode of transportation you are using. There are benefits and drawbacks to each type, it is up to you to decide which method works best with your schedule and lifestyle. The best way to deal with commuting is not to do it at all. If you are lucky enough to be able to work from home then you don't have to deal with the commuting headache and can reap the benefits of a less stressful life.
