Whether it’s on the train, behind the handlebars, or in the passenger seat in the morning carpool, the commute and commuters are not the same. The daily transition between home and work is time you should make your own. The good news is that technology is on your side, offering more solutions than ever to make the daily commute an easier and more enriching experience.
Here’s a roundup of the most popular apps and tech that you can use to commute your way.
Car Sharing Apps. Car sharing services that connect riders with drivers by mobile app have truly changed the way we travel. From pickup to payment, these services have taken transportation convenience to a new level. But did you know that you can use Uber, Via, or Lyft for your commute and pay for it tax-free with your commuter benefit? We’ve partnered with some of the most popular car sharing services to ensure employees have another commuting option and still enjoy the savings and convenience of commuter benefits.
Noise-Canceling Headphones. It takes energy to block out conversations happening around you on a busy rush-hour train and can leave you exhausted by the time you reach your destination. Luckily, there are more options for noise-canceling headphones than ever before. Active noise-canceling headphones are designed to provide you with a super quiet ride or to make your music clearer at a lower volume which is better for your hearing. Equipped with a small microphone that picks up outside noise, the headphones produce an undetectable layer of sound that cancels out the sounds and results in silence. Noise-canceling headphones can help you achieve your moment of zen.
Mobile Games. Improve brain function and get motivated with mobile phone games. App stores are rich with puzzles and games that test the brain, entertain and ease the passing of time. Studies have also shown that solving puzzles is good exercise for the mind. In fact, there are several apps designed specifically to improve our memories, math skills and ability to absorb information. There are also apps that promote healthy habits by adding challenge, skill and other strategic elements to the game.
Biking Apps. If you bike to work, there are a multitude of apps available that can help you keep track of your distance, meet your fitness goals, connect with other cyclists, find different routes for a change of scenery, or provide instructions for bike maintenance and repairs. Make sure to enroll for biking benefits to save money on the purchase of a new bicycle, and for repairs and storage.
Free eBooks. Social media, streaming videos and music are all competing for our attention. But for many commuters, there’s nothing like spending quality time with a good book. For e-reader and e-reading app users, there are several websites that allow you to download thousands of public domain books, free. Besides being an activity that continues to remain popular despite the competition, reading every day can reduce stress, expand vocabulary, improve memory and more.
