Give This a Spin: 5 Takeaways From Commuter Self-Care Week

After a valiant effort to deliver your comments to the MTA—and each other—we brought things a little closer to home this week. We asked, is there something you do that actually makes your commute enjoyable? What's your subway self-care technique? 

We received your responses. We put a few to the test. And this is what we found. Here are Five Key Ways to Make Your Commuting Experience More Pleasant.

1. If You Have the Time, and Strong Legs, Use Them

Sometimes you're in a rush. Sometimes it's raining. Sometimes it's 95 degrees. Then you need to take the train to work, surely.

But if you spend eight hours a day sitting at a desk, it's not the worst idea to fit some walking or biking into your commute, especially on weeks as lovely as this one. Mike from Brooklyn told us that on days with bad train delays, he's confident his walk home isn't any longer than using the subways.

 2. Coloring Is For Adults, Too

Shumita Basu presents an adult commuter with an adult coloring book.

(James Ramsay)

Sketching or cartooning on a train isn't a new phenomenon. The problem is, people who sketch on the train often sketch other people on the train, which gets into weird privacy issues. Take the safe route, and fill in an adult coloring book! 

3. Mix Up What's in Your Headphones

Music and podcasts are great, but sometimes you're just too exhausted for that kind of stimulation. There are popular meditation apps, like Headspace. And then there's the gentle sound of rain.

Staying calm on the subways=putting headphones on and listening to the sound of rain #WeTheCommuters

— Alexandra Miller (@alymillr) August 7, 2017

4. Fidget Spinners: Not Just for Your Kids

Tried one yet? You should. 

Elysia takes PATH from WTC↔️Exchange every day. @ramesjamsay gave her a @WQXR fidget spinner. "This will keep me amused!" #WeTheCommuters pic.twitter.com/2mmTZZtFDP

— Shumita Basu (@shubasu) August 10, 2017 

5. Selena Gomez

On a PATH train from New Jersey to Midtown, we got to chatting with a lawyer and former Rutgers student radio DJ named Yousef Saleh, who made a confession. On hectic days when the trains are packed and commuting feels extra stressful, he listens to Selena Gomez. And you should, too.

We're not done, nor will we ever be done, collecting your tips for a better commute. Share them on Twitter using #WeTheCommuters.