Tag Archives: commute

Three Stress-Free Ways to Commute in Style

Commuting is and will always be part of big-city life, and Chicago is no different. You’ll need to ride trains, buses, and cabs to get to where you need to be. And like in any other city, this can be a taxing and stressful activity.

For some people, they even find this as a huge waste of time because all you do is wait until you get to your destination. But this doesn’t always have to be the case. Technology has brought about a means to make commuter life easier such as MP3 players, smartphones, and the Universal Taxi app.

  • Pamper yourself during the commute.

Yes, you read that right, you can pamper yourself while riding the train or bus. Of course, this doesn’t mean getting a massage or a sponge bath during the ride. What you can do is to enhance the way your body feels.

You can increase the endorphins (a brain chemical that is responsible for making you feel positive) by listening to your favorite tunes. Better yet, why not sing along? You don’t have to belt out loudly while in the bus, you can just whisper or sing mildly. Humming or singing in your head is also good since you don’t want to bother other people.

Another way to pamper yourself is to relax your eyes. This is particularly important for those with office jobs that require them to stare at computer screens all day. This can be extra stressful to your entire body. So why not try to relax your eyes by simply following the 20/20/20 rule. Focus  and look at an object about 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. Another great exercise is to roll your eyes clockwise, then counter-clockwise, and then up and down.

  • Make it productive.

Take this extra time to do something productive. Take a book with you and read. Better yet, learn something new by bringing a textbook or a how-to book. You can even try to learn a new language! And with the advent of modern technology, you don’t even have to bring an entire book with you, you can opt for e-books and read on your smartphone.

If you have an upcoming sales pitch or presentation, take this time to practice it! Go over your body language and memorize your lines. Go over the entire thing over and over in your head so that when the time comes, you won’t seem nervous or forget anything.

You can also try to save money while using the public transport system. Take out a pen and paper to track your spending for the past few days and try to budget your money to make sure you are maximizing your funds.

  • Make it easier.

Of course, with new technology comes even better ways to avoid a stressful commute brought to you by Universal Taxi. Just download the app onto your phone and login your location and destination. A taxi cab will soon be there for you. Safe, reliable, simple, and easy, this is the best way you can avoid all the hassle and stress of your daily commute.

With the help of these hassle-free tips, you can arrive at work as fresh as you were when you left the house.

How to Commute all Around the Windy City

There’s just so much to see in Chicago, that you really have to plan your daily route should you plan to visit the city as a tourist. The same thing goes for those who are in Chicago for business, as well as for those who are planning to make the city their permanent home. There’s a lot of feedback about commuting being especially inconvenient here, but knowing which transport option to take could make it easier and a lot less hard than how others would make it appear.

Chicago Transit Authority

Yes, Chicago has the second largest transportation in the country. There are buses and trains for you to take from one point to another. It is best to study the routes for each option so that you could see which of the two will be more convenient for you. Some places you are interested in visiting might be near a certain bus stop for example, but may be far from a train station. There are unlimited ride passes for those who want to make the most out of public transport as they explore the city. For those who are still unsure, there are also single ride tickets. This transport system allows you not only to go around the city of Chicago, but around 40 communities around the city as well.

Metra Commuter Rail

If you’re coming from or are travelling to an outlying suburb, the Metra rail is a quick and convenient option. This high-speed commuter train takes you to the heart of the city fast, and you can purchase either a single trip ticket or a 10-ride pass.

Taxis

Just like any other city, grabbing a taxi is also considered as one of the most convenient ways to get around. The best part about this is that specific cab companies like Universal Taxi has mobile apps that allow you to book a cab conveniently. Through these apps, you can easily let them know where you are and what time you want to be picked up, and Universal Taxi will send a cab for you at the specified time and location. You can also do this online through their website, or go through the traditional route of calling in.

Water Taxis

Looking for a unique way to explore the city? The water taxis in Chicago definitely allows you to get from point A to point B from a different perspective. They can also take you to some of the most popular sights around town (such as the Museum Campus, Chinatown, Union Station and so much more), making it the perfect choice during the warmer seasons. There are single ride tickets and day passes available.

Truly, the city of Chicago is one dream destination that gives you surprises at every turn. And with so many options when it comes to commuting (not to mention the fact that the city is extremely bike-friendly, too!), there are just so many reasons for you to stop worrying and start exploring every single thing that Chicago can offer.