Stay Stress Free On SEPTA!
November 1, 2022
Wednesday, November 2, 2022 is Stress Awareness Day - a day aimed to identify and reduce the stress factors in your life.
Stress. Everyone has it - and it isn't always a bad thing. Biologically - it's our body's way of protecting itself from harm. However - too much stress can cause harm to our health and relationships. As a SEPTA rider - you're avoiding the stress that comes from daily driving. Along with steering clear of traffic and parking hassles - there are plenty of other ways SEPTA can help you reduce stress. See a list of tips below to help you relax on Stress Awareness Day!
1. Ride SEPTA!
Riding SEPTA helps you avoid the stress that comes with driving. Forget the white knuckles and sit back and relax on your train, trolley, or bus.
2. Exercise
Exercise is one of the most important things you can do to combat stress. You don't have to join a gym to get exercise. Walking and jogging - which involve the repetitive movements of large muscle groups - can be particularly stress relieving. And good news - SEPTA riders take 30% more steps per day than people who rely on cars and train commuters are 4 times more likely to reach 10,000 steps a day than those in a car!
And don't just take our word for it - the CDC reported public transportation was associated with an additional 8 to 33 minutes of walking per day.
3. Reading
When SEPTA's doing the driving - you don't need to keep your eyes on the road. Instead you can keep them on a good book! Reading can be a wonderful (and healthy) escape from the stress of everyday life. Reading can even relax your body by lowering your heart rate and easing the tension in your muscles.
4. Listen to Music
Riding SEPTA allows you to browse and listen to your favorite music without having to keep your eyes on the road. Whether it's classical or hip-hop - music you enjoy helps to elevate your mood.
5. Spend Time With Family and Friends
Sometimes spending time with the people we love is the best way to reduce stress. In fact a study found that for women in particular - spending time with friends and children helps release oxytocin, a natural stress reliever. This effect is called "tend and befriend" and is the opposite of the fight-or-flight response. SEPTA helps thousands of Philadelphians get to where they need to go to connect with family and friends - especially with the holidays fast approaching. Now is the perfect time to plan your trip!
We hope these simple tips help make your day a little more stress-free. So sit back and relax and let SEPTA take the stress away!
