The difficult economic climate has many individuals willing to endure longer commutes for a good job. In fact, long commutes have become a way of life for many and it isn’t always a welcome routine as it means getting up earlier and getting home later.

With so much to accomplish each day, long commutes can be difficult, especially in the beginning when it can feel like an imposition and a waste of time. This is certainly how I felt when getting to work suddenly required a train ride and a subway trip. However, once I changed my outlook and habits, the long commute became a very tolerable — even welcoming — part of my day. I just needed to learn how to make a good, productive use of this time.

The following are just a few ideas that will enable workers to make the most of the daily commute whether that involves driving, a train ride, a ride on the subway, a bus ride or other mode of transportation.

Get Comfortable

There’s no reason you can’t travel to work comfortably and with a little preparation, this is easy to accomplish. Make certain that you charge electronic devices the night before so that you can get the most use out of them during the day. If the initial battery power for your devices is insufficient, consider purchasing an external battery pack that can be plugged in as necessary.

Some commuters prefer to travel to work in sneakers, especially in commutes that require a large amount of walking. They simply bring along a nice pair of work shoes to change into once they arrive at the office.

Other items that can prove useful include snacks in case you get hungry, water, a comb, tissues and Advil. You never know when these items will come in handy, whether you need to fix your hair, clean up spill, tend to a runny nose or remedy that sudden headache. One of the downsides of commuting far from home is that when the unexpected happens, you may not have easy access to things you need. And while it’s true that many of these items can be bought at local stores, keeping them handy is more convenient and it can make for easier travels.

Relax

The commute presents a rare opportunity for many: the chance to spend some quality time alone. Many individuals lead busy lives filled with interruptions. This makes it difficult to find a moment for yourself. So enjoy the peaceful and quiet moments of the daily commute, away from the worries and concerns of home and work life.

Use this time to unwind, reflect and prepare mentally for the day ahead. This may involve resting your eyes, zoning out or listening to music or the radio. Whatever your preferred way to relax may be, utilize the commute as a built-in period to decompress and relieve stress as you travel between work and home.

Read

How many times have you promised to read the latest intriguing bestseller, only to find it months later, buried under papers and dust in your home office? The daily commute is an ideal time to catch up on all the reading you’ve been meaning to do. Whatever genre of book you prefer, load it onto your iPad or bring the printed version to read on your way to work.

For those commuters who drive or can’t read while traveling, audiobooks are a great alternative option for catching up on reading and make a dent on that never ending to-read list. There are numerous apps (such as Audible) that make it easy to download and listen to audiobooks. You can also borrow audiobooks from most libraries.

When using the commute to read, don’t limit yourself to just books! Spend some time reading newspapers and magazines to keep up with current events and stay on top of what’s happening in the world. Another good choice for reading material is professional literature such as academic journals, magazines and even blogs.

Personal Life

Modern technologies such as smartphones allow us to accomplish many things even while traveling that weren’t possible before. The time commuting can also be used to enhance your personal life by keeping in touch with friends and family.

Spend time making phone calls to those you love and learn the latest of what’s happening in their lives. Another way to stay connected is through e-mail and text, which are good methods of communication if they’re not up as early in the mornings. Perhaps a friend already sent an e-mail or text but you haven’t had the time to respond. There’s no excuse now that you have at the least, a little free time during the week. Don’t keep them waiting any longer and get working on a response to those personal e-mails that remain in your overflowing inbox.

Using the commute time in this way will help you to still feel close and connected to loved ones even though you travel far from work everyday. Just because you travel far from work, doesn’t mean you should miss out on what’s happening in your loved ones’ lives either.

Professional Life

Working on a big project or have an important presentation coming up? Or maybe it’s just a busy time of the year in the office and it’s overwhelming. Why not use the commuting period to get a head start on things before even stepping into the office. While it may not be practical to complete major parts of a project or other work on the go, planning and preparation can make all the difference. Make a to-do list, prioritizing tasks by importance and make note of deadlines (if any). Do preliminary research or start jotting down ideas. Just taking some time to catch up on answering e-mails or phone calls can leave energy to concentrate on other things that need to be done at the office.

Writing is an activity that I became fond of doing while on my way to work. There were times when I could write entire blog posts during my commute time. In other instances, I would create outlines of articles that I was working on for various publications. Either way, it made the writing process and my life much easier. It also freed up some of my valuable time that I was able to devote to other tasks.

These are just a few examples of great ways to pass the time during the long commute to and from work. Making the commute work for you and tailoring the use of time to your specific needs will make a tremendous difference and how you perceive the workweek.

Alexandra Janvey is a Visiting Librarian in the Digital Initiatives and Art Image Library at Long Island University.

Posted on the bulletin board above my desk is a Wellness calendar. Each month there are suggestions, recipes and things to consider doing that could help you live a healthier, happier life. April’s page starts by asking, “What brings you joy and satisfaction and engages you so that you live well and work at your best?” The writer suggests that you name these things and resolve to pursue them. This will be the start of your happiness project. It involves you intentionally and actively doing those things that will bring happiness to your life.

Find happiness in a quiet walk… a beautiful sunset … a favorite comedy movie that makes you laugh out loud. Smile about something you’ve never noticed before. Fresh ideas are all around. If you consistently seek those things that give you joy, you’ll find that life in general will be more pleasant and less stressful. This may not always be easy to do. Sometimes life’s circumstances can get you down. However, if you try to look at difficult situations with a different lens, you may be able to move past those times with success. Looking at life from a fresh point of view can often help you cope with stress. Change and occasional disappointments are natural. Turn challenges and changes into opportunities for learning and growth. Find a way to make them part of your happiness project.

How will you start your project? You don’t need a lot of activities. Just think of one or two things that would bring pleasure to your life. Take the time, to do one of them. Stop rushing for just a little while and do something that makes you smile. This could be the start of your happiness project—the start of you living a fulfilling, happy life.

My brother died last year. He passed away from lung cancer. Jim was not a smoker; he was an athlete. He died young. Jim’s death only reinforced my core values and how to balance my work and personal life. I’m grateful to him. I wanted to honor his life by sharing with you some lessons. We would all like to believe that we are going to live a long healthy life, but honestly there are no guarantees. I hope that what I learned from the death of my brother will inspire you to make changes that lead to a more authentic life.

1. Life is short.
   Stop putting off things you have been meaning to do. If something of interest has been mulling around in your head, then sit down, set some goals, come up with a plan and just do it. Don’t wait. Time is not on your side. Push past that nagging sense of fear and don’t let it rule your life. Remember, you have a 100 percent chance of dying. When we accept this and I mean really come to terms with it, you can then begin to live more deliberately. You simply don’t have time to get it wrong. Start writing a list that answers these questions. What do I need to start doing? What do I need to stop doing? What do I need to continue doing? What do I need to do more of? What do I need to do less of? What do you need to do differently?
2. Life is unfair.
   Get used to it. There are four billion people in the world living on less than a dollar a day! Think about that when you’re not feeling especially grateful. Focusing on previous bad experiences, people and circumstances do not serve you and they won’t move you forward. Concentrate your attention on what is working and what you can do, not what you can’t do. Reach out for help and always surround yourself with positive people that can bring your game up. Count your blessings and all the things you have that money can’t buy. Learn from your past, focus on your future and live for today. Don’t let your past rule you!
3. Relationships are paramount.
   In the end, relationships are all that really matter. Period! No one cares about the size of your house, the type of car you drive or how much money you have. No one cares! What really matters is the quality of the relationships with your friends and family. Appreciate and focus on what’s happening in the here and now with your relationships. Tell everyone that is close to you that you love them. Give and receive love every day. I may forget what Jim said or did, but I will always remember how he made me feel. When I was with him, I was the #1 person in his life. Jim was always interested in me. He was an excellent listener. Jim was never hurried or rushed. He always had time for me. Jim loved his family. His family loved him.
4. Don’t wait until retirement.
   I am a huge proponent of saving for retirement, but I am not waiting until that day to start really living. Jim didn’t get the chance to live out his golden years with his beloved wife, his kids or his grandkids. Too often I hear my clients postpone living until they can retire and do the things they want to do. It’s heart breaking to read obituaries in the Times Union and learn about people dying at 32, 44, 57 and 63. Start taking incremental action toward your work and life goals.
5. Do what you love.
   Jim was an award winning photographer for the Boston Globe. He was wicked good at it. You don’t go into photography to get rich. You pursue it because it is the full expression of you. The last thing I told Jim before he passed was that I was going ice climbing. He thought that was cool. He then handed the phone to his wife and I never spoke to him again.
6. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
   We tend to worry about the most inconsequential things. Stop dragging worry around. Ten years from now, all that petty stuff we tend to worry about will not matter. Just let go of it. Learn to live in the moment. Tell yourself, “Today will be a totally awesome day!”
7. Live life on your terms.
   Maybe you are familiar with the 14-44-64 Rule. It goes like this. When you are 14 years old, you worry about what other people think about you. When you are 44 years old, you don’t give a damn about what people think about you. When you’re 64, you realize nobody has been thinking about you the entire time. Stop living your life to impress others. Jim lived a simple life in his own way, not worrying about what others would think. Lead a simple life, uncomplicated from the things that don’t matter.
8. Keep yourself happy.
   Stop postponing being happy. Choose happiness each day. Don’t wait for some time in your life when you can begin to be happy. Don’t take yourself so seriously. I always enjoyed pulling Jim’s leg. Jim was gracious. Jim laughed a lot.
9. Leave a legacy.
   The way you lead your life is the legacy you leave. You can leave a professional legacy, but you will also be leaving a legacy for your family and friends. Think carefully about what you would really like that to be. Write it down and commit to it. When you get up each day, act on it. Do one thing every day to help build your legacy. Make sure it is so small that it is impossible to fail. Jim made a difference through his work, but most importantly, he left a legacy of love.
10. Take lots of pictures. 
    When you take pictures you are creating happy memories. Most of the memories I have of Jim did not cost a dime. On my desk, I have a picture of my mom, my daughter, Jim and I. It was taken next to his rose garden on one of our frequent trips to the White Mountains. I’m glad we took that picture and I’m damn glad Jim was my brother.

Dr. Tom’s Career Tip: “Don’t wish it was easier, wish that you were better. Don’t wish for less problems, wish for more skills. Don’t wish for less challenge, wish for more wisdom.” – Jim Rohn

Printed with permission of Dr. Tom Denham.

Dr. Thomas J. Denham is the founder of Careers in Transition LLC, a career counseling firm which focuses on career direction for individuals and consulting services for institutional clients. Tom writes and speaks extensively on career issues and can be heard on Northeast Public Radio’s award winning talk show, The Career Forum.

Originally published at http://blog.timesunion.com/careers/what-i-learned-from-the-death-of-my-brother/2293/?goback=%2Egde_2095563_member_218922602

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Listed below are many of the questions asked of the forum participants:

• Does your workplace have programs (flex-time, maternity leave, child care) and a culture supporting work/life balance?
• What programs or organizational support (or lack of support) does your institution offer?
• Would you consider a wellness/health-related program to be an integral part of a work/life balance culture or are they (or should they be) different?
• Do others notice a difference between schedule expectations for faculty-status or management and support staff? Do you think it’s a salaried vs. hourly model?
• How do you keep work stress from “overflowing” into your home life (and vice versa)? What kinds of things do you do?
• We have heard several people indicate that they would like employers to make allowances for more types of family issues. Eldercare, adoption, maternity/paternity leave etc. have been mentioned? What types of programs would you like to see and how do you think they might be introduced to make home/family issues more flexible and accommodating for a wider group of situations? In what way can an employer accommodate family needs and still provide coverage and get the work done?
• No matter what your work policies and programs are, some people are better than others at managing the work/life balancing act. Do you have personal strategies that help you find that balance no matter what the circumstances? 
• Do you have any worries about layoffs? How is your performance measured when the Big Bosses start looking to cut people? How do you live with the daily, grinding stress and anxiety of “will it be me? And then what?”
•  Does anyone work for a union that is actively seeking to enhance work/life issues?

General Summary of Comments

There were major themes and responses that came of the discussion of work/life balance held on March 13 and 14, 2013.

Important factors lending to a better work/life balance include flexible schedules, childcare, eldercare, family leave and simply time off of work. Another important component is the effort to make work less stressful and provide incentives promoting healthier lifestyle, normally called “wellness” or “work life” programs. Another workplace theme is ergonomics and the comfort of workspaces.

While many organizations supported flexible work hours, this applied more to faculty or professionals rather than civil service or union positions. Telecommuting is an option for some, but staff who work in public services are generally not able to take advantage of this. Some workplaces first deal with flexible schedules when a staff member asks for flexibility. Managers don’t always feel able to take advantage of schedule options.

Some institutions actually provide child care while eldercare options are not very common. Many wellness programs include workshops, weight loss programs, rewards, flex time to attend classes or workouts and some even give fitness release time. Academic institutions are more likely to have on campus fitness centers with free or discounted membership.

Granting time off to attend to family issues is a mixed bag. Maternity and paternity leave usually comply with FMLA guidelines. Some organizations are more liberal in allowing staff to use sick leave to care for family members and the definition of family varies, as well. The implementation of Paid Time Off leave (or unileave), versus distinct vacation and sick can help employees by not requiring a specific reason when leave is used. For long term illness, quite a few organizations have some sort of collective leave bank or leave sharing options that allow staff with plenty of sick leave to donate to those who find themselves dealing with long term health issues.

Despite numerous examples of programs or policies to promote a better work/life balance, challenges remain. Increased schedule flexibility combined with easier mobile communication tacitly encourages more connectedness with the workplace. We see more of a blurring of home and work life. Telecommuters sometimes have a difficult time disconnecting from work. Also, expectations for research and professional development often fall into a worker’s personal time. Also, flexible schedules can place additional burdens on staff who remain in the office working more traditional schedules.

Beyond flex time, maternity leave and more leave time for family issues, respondents were interested in seeing greater opportunities to bring pets to work (I once had a scorpion named Fluffy who would have loved a visit to my work), simply more awareness of the many familial demands on people, more telecommuting options, more attention to eldercare (not just childcare) and less intrusiveness when taking leave (in other words, no need to report why you are taking leave). 

There was quite a healthy discussion of ergonomics with some workplaces being proactive regarding improving ergonomics while others ignoring the issue.

Regardless of workplace support for achieving a work/life balance, many respondents had personal strategies for improving their situation. Some reported clearly delineating a boundary to supervisors and coworkers. The new technology that makes us so connected can also be turned off. When work spills over from coworkers, it may be better to let some of it go undone to show that you cannot keep doing more with less. It was pointed out that we need to derive meaning and a sense of self from more than just work. 

Someone mentioned that work, itself, is a balance to an overly demanding home life. Again, it is balance we are aiming for. Many people mentioned hobbies or physical activities like lunchtime walks or yoga that help bring balance. One should also have a personal goal to use the vacation time you are allocated. It matters less what you do on vacation, but more that you are not at work.

Finally, it seems apparent that other countries are far more progressive when addressing work/life balance issues. Americans work longer hours with less overall time off. The Netherlands has tax laws that encourage employers to reduce hours rather than lay off staff. Here, job security can play a big role in how people use their vacation time and treat expectations for 24/7 connectedness. The economic downturn has curtailed progress in securing more work/life balance programs and policies.

About the E-Forum Hosts

Leslie Burke is Collection Development and Digital Integration Librarian at Kalamazoo College. She has worked at Kalamazoo College since January 2012 handling serials, acquisitions, collection development and e-resources. Prior to working at K, Leslie was an Account Services Manager (a librarian-on-the-road) for EBSCO Information Services for 11 ½ years, performing customer service, training and problem-solving and providing solutions to clients in the Midwest states. Leslie was a corporate librarian for over a decade at Amway Corporation and a serials/acquisitions librarian at Western Theological Seminary. Leslie has been active in SLA, Michigan Health Sciences Library Association and other state and regional library groups. She has presented at state and regional library conferences and at SLA Annual conferences.

Robert Roose is the Support Services Manager at Spokane Public Library in Spokane, Washington. He has worked in public services at Renton Public Library (WA), Hobbs Public Library (NM) and both technical services and public services at Jefferson County Library (WA). He is active in the Washington Library Association.

Should a childless employee who wants to leave early to train for a triathlon have any less right than the one who wants to catch her child’s soccer game at 4 p.m.?

Should work/life balance policies privilege parents? It’s commonly acknowledged that workers with spouses and children have trouble finding the time and energy to pursue friendships and non-work interests. But new research from Michigan State University suggests that single employees without children also have difficulty making time for lives outside of work.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. One in every three deaths is from heart disease and stroke — that’s 2,200 deaths per day. — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012

February is American Heart Month, a time set aside to raise awareness about heart disease. If you’re like most people, you think that heart disease is a problem for others—not you. But heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States. It is also a major cause of disability. Some risk factors, such as family history and age, can’t be changed. The good news about heart disease is that a healthy heart is within reach.

Here are several ways to improve your health and help prevent heart disease and stroke:

1. Get active. Sedentary living may be the single biggest factor in heart attack deaths. You don’t have to run marathons. Just aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity at least three days a week. Vigorous-intensity activities, such as jogging, swimming and bicycling, strengthen your heart. But moderate-intensity activities, including brisk walking, housework and gardening, are also beneficial.
2. Eat right. Emphasize vegetables, fruits and whole grains in your diet. Limit sodium and get no more than 30% of your daily calories from fat. Be sure to eat breakfast, because most heart attacks occur between 6:00 a.m. and noon.
3. Maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight strains the heart. Keep your weight under control. Reducing your intake of calories and increasing the calories you burn is the key to losing weight.
4. Quit smoking. Smoking more than doubles your risk for heart disease. If you smoke, commit to quit. Secondhand smoke has also been shown to be harmful.
5. Manage blood pressure. High blood pressure raise your risk for heart disease and stroke. Help control your blood pressure by exercising regularly, eating right, not smoking, limiting sodium and alcohol and taking medication if needed. Follow your physician’s advice.
6. Control cholesterol. Limit foods high in cholesterol. Saturated fats and trans fats in your diet also raise cholesterol. Have your cholesterol checked on schedule. Take medication if needed. 
7. Manage diabetes. People with diabetes are at increased risk for heart disease. If you have diabetes, follow your healthcare professional’s orders to keep this disease under control.
8. Lighten up. People who over-react to stressful situations appear more likely to have heart trouble. Smile a little more, you’ll feel better. Besides, it’s easier to smile. It takes 43 face muscles to frown, but only 15 to smile.

Want more information? Take a look at these resources:

The American Heart Association. AHA offers a variety of online tools including My Life Check, which helps you assess your individual lifestyle risks and develop a plan for lowering them.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC offers excellent advice on preventing heart disease. 

The Siteman Cancer Center. SCC offers a questionnaire that can help you predict your risk for heart disease. 

The National Library of Medicine. NLM, the world’s largest medical library, provides free health information to libraries, health professionals and consumers around the world. The free resources help people understand their health, health-related topics and make decisions based on reliable sources.

MedlinePlus. Created by NLM, this web site provides more than 750 topics on conditions, diseases and wellness.

NIHSeniorHealth. This web site is based on the latest research on aging and computer use. Included in the many special features is a talking function, which allows users the option of reading the text or listening to it as it is read to them.

National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. This division of the National Institutes of Health offers Your Guide to Living Well with Heart Disease.

Sources:

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Life Times Newsletter
MedLinePlus
Time Health & Family
Top Health

Read the full article here.

Do you work long hours — and enjoy it? Do you hold multiple jobs? Do you own your own business?

Do you take your cell phone, laptop, tablet, and the like with you on vacations (if you even take vacations) to check in on things in the office?

Do you have problems with your family because of your job? Do you know someone like this?
Are you — or someone you know — a workaholic? Take the quiz.