The overarching narrative, up until now, has been that commuting is a bad thing. Studies show that longer commutes lead to decreased job satisfaction and increased risk of mental health issues, while shorter commutes have the opposite effect. But despite a year of working blissfully from home, our job satisfaction and general mental health have continued to deteriorate. Why? A part of this is the result of fewer in-person interactions and “Zoom fatigue.” But the authors believe it or not, misplacing our commutes has also made a contribution.

• Pre-Covid, our commutes were a part of our daily rituals, and rituals have been a natural human behavior since the beginning of time. They add stability and certainty into an otherwise unstable and uncertain world — alleviating feelings of grief, anxiety, and increasing confidence.
• Bringing a commute back into your day, even a short one, can be good for your mental wellbeing, and even increase you job satisfaction.
• Your “commute” could be as simple as spending some solo time meditating in an unoccupied room or taking a short walk around your block before hopping into your first meeting.
• Whatever you decide, make it a ritual, one you feel safe repeating time and again.