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How to make your morning commute less painful - really

Image: It might be time to take out the earphones (Image via Thinkstock)

How often do we find ourselves tuning out from the world on our morning commute?

The second we step off the platform and onto the train/tram/bus/our partner’s car, it seems as though we will do almost anything to avoid interacting with those around us. Mostly we will check our phones. But could this be making us unhappy?

A recent study performed at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business split participants into two groups, instructing one group to actively engage with other commuters, and the other to be silent and distant on their commute. The aim of the study was to reveal whether vanishing into your iPhone makes for a happier commute. And the results were surprising.

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The researchers expected that those instructed to keep to themselves would feel happier after their commute. Typically, people seem inclined towards solitude when commuting, so it’d make sense that this makes us happy.

Time to make like Zooey Deschanel and get talking.

 

In reality, though, we're all lonely on the inside. All  we really want is to connect with other people - but we're scared of rejection (awww).

The people who were forced to talk to their fellow commuters reported feeling much happier than those who kept to themselves. So there you go. You just need a motivation to reach out, like say... advancing the cause of social sciences.

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So next time someone on your morning bus or train wants to strike up a conversation, let them. Don't shut them down and turn up Beyonce instead. Talk to the dad with his boy and ask how their day has been. Or help the travellers who seem lost in the chaos of peak hour.

After all, humans are social beings that thrive and grow from the relationships and experiences we share with others. If you start talking, something wonderful might happen. Just like it did for these people...


Do you ever strike up a conversation while commuting?