How can I make my journey to work more enjoyable?

Repetition can dull the senses, and when this happens, your daily commute to work becomes more of a chore than it need be. If your journey to work is intolerable then it will probably impact negatively on the way you do your job.

Here are some simple ways to add a touch of interest to your work commute – whichever way you travel:

By car
If you go to work by car then you’re probably driving during the rush hour. Try going into work an hour earlier and when you're near to your offfice, instead of going straight in take some time out in a park or a café where you can chill out and read a book.

If you feel your being bombarded by the same commercials or the same banter everyday on the radio, tune into something more relaxing while taking a more tranquil route (if available) with trees, parks or lakes on the way to help calm the morning stress.

Generally give yourself a little more time, you’ll be less rushed and suddenly all those red lights won’t seem to be working against you. When possible, get together with others who may work in close proximity and take turns being the car driver. You’ll save money and alleviate the stress that comes with driving alone.

By public transport
Come rain or shine, hordes of people across the country gather at bus stops and railway stations every day praying that their transport will arrive on time and that they might just be lucky enough to get a seat.

This is seen by many as the most stressful part of their day and their sour mood comes with them to the office, but that needn't be the case.

Again, travelling at rush hour is the worst time so attempt to set off a little earlier or later. More and more companies are coming round to the idea of flexible working and if you put in the hours, they don't necessarily have to be 9-to-5.

Plan ahead to avoid delays that may occur with bad weather and other signal failures and keep your journey interesting by switching modes of transport as often as possible. Just because it's the fastest or the most direct route, it doesn't mean it's the best for your sanity.

iPods and handheld game devices are one way of keeping your mind off all that is around you. Or you could look to beef up your brain power with a crossword, a Sudoku puzzle or anything to get those little grey cells working. We all complain of never having enough time to do things and yet this downtime is often available every day.

Try not to do any work on your commute on a laptop or Blackberry. This is your time, not your company's.

With so many people taking the same journey every day, some people have got together and formed commuting clubs. These small social circles chat about anything from last night's football results to what they plan to do on the weekend and are a great way to start the day rather than sticking in the headphones and disappearing into your own world.

You may be apprehensive about sparking up a conversation with strangers on public transport, but if everyone looks at you like the local weirdo, you can always move to a different carriage.

Get physical
If you’re relatively fit – and would like to get fitter – then see if there’s part of your journey you can do by bike, minimising parking issues and commuting costs.

Even simpler is good old-fashioned walking. Walking develops fitness and gives you a sense of purpose. A short walk instead of taking the bus or car will save you pounds as well and you’ll feel less reliant on transport by not standing at a bus stop.

It’s worth bearing in mind that if you don’t actually like your job then any journey to work will be a grind. However, assuming you’re happy at work, then with a little planning and imagination there is a lot you can do to make the journey less arduous, more pleasant – and even surprisingly productive.