Mental wellbeing

Train journeys are kind on the mind.

Time spent on the train can be used as precious downtime on either side of work or as an opportunity to tune in to your favourite podcast or book, or even a mindfulness app. 

There are many resources available to help, and as a starting point we have put together the following list of tips for you to get the most from your journey with Northern, wherever it may take you.

Plan & prepare

A few minutes of thought the night before can save a lot of stress the following day! Check your scheduled train time for the morning, set your alarm clock, and pack your bag so you're ready to go. 

Enjoy your journey

Your journey with Northern may be an opportunity for you to simply sit and do nothing – if this is your choice, then enjoy it! 

Use the time to catch up on your reading, whether that’s a paperback, an audiobook, or a podcast, get comfortable, and lose yourself for the duration of your journey.

There are so many podcasts out there, serving a whole variety of audiences. Some that we like are:

• The High Performance Podcast with Jake Humphrey & Damian Hughes
• How to Fail with Elizabeth Day
• How to Wow with Chris Evans
• Happy Place with Fearne Cotton

For some, the train can also be a great place to get a jump start on the day by checking emails or preparing for the workday ahead.

Meditation

Meditation is increasingly being recognised as a great way to ensure good mental wellbeing, a nice introduction to mental wellbeing is the Headspace App. It has a range of resources available for you that cover meditation, sleep, focus and more. 

• Headspace

Tips for a calm commute

We've asked your fellow passengers their tips for a calm commute: 

• Arrive with time to spare – because a relaxed commute is an easy commute
• Join the conversation – find yourself a great podcast and get involved with the here and now
• Feel the beat – invest in some good headphones… zoning into that favourite playlist will always pop a smile on your face
• Find your inner zen – apps such as Headspace are the perfect way to bring you into a state of relaxation
• Be kind to one another – who doesn’t love a bit of positivity? A smile to a fellow passenger might be all that’s needed to brighten up their day.

A better way to go

You spoke, we listened. We've been working hard to improve every step of your journey, including:

• Travel in style - Our new look fleet is made up of 100 new state-of-the-art trains and another 240 fully-refurbished
• Extra-comfy seats - Sit back, take in the views and enjoy a more comfortable journey
• You've got the power - Make use of the charging points at every seat on all new Northern trains
• Free WiFi - Stay connected with free WiFi on our new trains. Browse 'til your heart's content
• Extra clean carriages - our 600-strong cleaning team are working round the clock. Thanks team!

You can also expect to see a range of new and improved facilities in Northern stations across the North.

Learn more about A better way to go