Dealing With The Stress Of Public Transit

Although it's often ideal to do so, it can be difficult to find work that isn't far from your home. Often, the most lucrative or available jobs are to be found in cities that neighbour your own, or in a part of town that's difficult to reach by walking. Fortunately, most cities across the globe have affordable options for getting to all but the farthest-flung corners of wherever you live. These public utilities do wonders for the accessibility of businesses, and employers, near and far. But unfortunately, they can also be hard to use.

The first possible barrier to entry -- possible, because everyone is different, even if no one is alone -- is having the ticket or card you need to take public transit to begin with. If you're reliant on public transit, paying for it ahead of time is essential. Put it on your grocery list or stock up when you remember to buy tickets. The other hard part can be remembering to take your card or ticket with you. Although this is rarely disastrous, it's a setback you'd probably like to avoid. As with many cases where you need to remember something, the key is to put reminders somewhere you won't forget them. If you use your computer a lot, set an alarm for each day where you'll need proof of payment, and all will be well.

People can be a problem, particularly if you're averse to crowds. In this case, it can sometimes help to stand if possible, near the bus or train doors. The extra mobility can free your mind a little. If that's not possible or preferable, consider an aisle seat instead of a window seat, depending on how many people are in the aisle. Other ambience can be a problem. This is particularly true if you're taking a plane. The instructional videos on emergency protocols, the roar of the engine, can all serve to make you nervous. But remember that bad things almost never happen, even to people who fly monthly or weekly. And if you can, try to nap, or distract yourself with any in-flight amusement that might be on offer.

Finally, there's that stressful, primal fear of getting lost on public transit. If possible, avoid taking public transit at night or into areas that make you nervous. Refuse, if at all possible, to take public transit near a time where it might soon shut off. Because as long as transit is still running, you can make it back to where you started: buses and trains both travel in loops. Sadly, this isn't applicable to going on a plane -- but plane trips are so deliberate, you don't need to worry about "getting lost" on a plane.