The commute is largely a much-bemoaned institution, and many of the gains made in productivity as a result of remote working during Covid were as a result of the removal of the half an hour or so we spend getting to and from work each day on average.

While commuting can undoubtedly be a pain, I’ve written before about how it can also provide us with valuable time to distinguish our personal and professional lives. Indeed, one of the key issues with remote working during Covid was the blurring of boundaries between home and work.

Maintaining boundaries

It’s a finding affirmed by a recent study from Rutgers University, which suggests that commuting provides us with a valuable source of so-called “liminal space”, where we’re free from both our personal and professional roles. This allows us time to recover and mentally switch gears.

In an attempt to understand the impact of commuting on the typical American worker, the researchers set out to examine whether this daily routine offers a time and space for psychological detachment from work and recovery. By reviewing existing research on commuting, role transitions, and work recovery, they developed a model for the liminal space that a commuter occupies.

The researchers focused on two cognitive processes, psychological detachment from work, and psychological recovery from work. They discovered that the ability to access this liminal space is affected by day-to-day variations. For instance, train commuters must devote attention to selecting routes and monitoring arrivals and departures, while car commuters must focus on driving. The study suggests that commuters with more time for detachment and recovery tend to have longer commutes.

Into practice

The researchers also conducted a follow-up study of 80 university employees, which confirmed the study’s theoretical model. They found that most of the participants used the commute’s liminal space to transition from work to home roles and to recover from the demands of the workday. However, the ability to do so varied based on day-to-day variations in commutes.

The study highlights the potential benefits of creating a personal form of commute for remote workers, such as a 15-minute walk, to provide liminal space for recovery and transition. The study also recommends that those who have returned to the workplace may benefit from using their commute to relax as much as possible. Commuters can enhance work detachment and relaxation during the commute by focusing on personally fulfilling activities, such as listening to music or podcasts, or calling a friend.

The data shows that commute stress detracts from detachment and relaxation during the commute more than a shorter or longer commute. Therefore, some people may choose to take the scenic route home to avoid stressful driving situations. Overall, the study suggests that commuting has a significant impact on an individual’s ability to mentally detach from work and recover, and that understanding these effects can help individuals develop strategies to improve their well-being.