Picture this: You’ve had a long day in the office at work and can’t wait to get home for dinner. You get in your car, drive out of the building, just for Waze to hit you with the fact that your drive is going to take double the usual time because it’s raining.
You might think you’re safe with commuting on the train, but whether it’s the MRT, LRT, monorail or bus, a small delay or malfunction is all it takes to set our schedule all the way back. No one’s a fan of being stuck for hours, commuting back and forth.
Since working back in the office is reality for many, here’s some motivation to put behind your work from home days! Listening to a podcast on the way to work or on the way home might be just what you need to get into a mindful, calm state- perfect when you’re trying to stay patient during your commute.
Here’s our top five picks for podcasts you can find on Spotify that are bound to zen you out:
1. Mindful in Minutes by Kelly Smith
2. Calm it Down by Chad Lawson
3. New Mindset, Who Dis? by Case Kenny
4. On Being by Krista Tippet
5. How To Be A Better Human by Chris Duffy
1. Mindful in Minutes
When we hear the term ‘guided meditation’, some of us are prone to think that it’s a yoga mat rolled out on the floor, palms together, with your mind empty. However, that wouldn’t really work out when you’re on the road.
This podcast is by Kelly Smith, founder of Yoga For You, and gives you short but effective tips on how to manage your anxiety, to find peace and to cultivate joy. The guided meditations help you centre your thoughts, and episodes are only around 20 minutes each.
2. Calm it Down
The opposite of endless car honking, blaring city lights and surprise roadblocks? Calm. With this podcast by Chad Lawson, create an oasis of peace for yourself in these 15-20 minute episodes which explore the wide range of emotions that we go through in our human experience.
Pro tip: If you’re on the KTM and will be listening with earphones, invest in a sound-cancelling headset, find a comfy seat & block the world out for a bit- future you will thank you for it!
3. New Mindset, Who Dis?
If you’re thinking ‘I’m not into this ultra spiritual vibe’, this podcast might be just what you need for a practical, no-frills approach to mindfulness. Don’t expect to get generic, ‘live laugh love’ kind of advice with Case Kenny, the down-to-earth host.
The episodes on this podcast sound like meaningful conversations with a friend on the hard, heart issues of life, and leave you walking away feeling like you know a little bit more about how to manoeuvre through different seasons of life.
4. On Being
The Peabody Awards are given to the best news, podcasts & documentaries, and this podcast has been a recipient of it- so you know you’re getting into the good stuff with On Being.
Krista Tippet asks the big life questions that we all ponder upon every so often, like what the meaning of life is, and why we’re all here. Her podcasts run about 45-50 minutes, so it’s great if you want to focus on one conversation for a longer period of time.
5. How To Be A Better Human
If you’ve ever heard a TED Talk, you’d know how the speakers often take complicated topics & break it down so that the average joe can understand it. This podcast is put together by TED & is hosted by comedian Chris Duffy, so don’t worry about feeling bored- you won’t!
Take the 30 minutes to go as deep as tapping into your self-awareness, or stay as light as what to do when your colleague offends you. All in all, take the brain space to work on being a better human. It’s what this podcast’s all about.
Podcasts are a great way to pass the time while gaining valuable insight. How do you usually utilise your traffic jam time, LIVLOLA fam? Tell us all about it!
