Imagine it's Monday morning. Just one look out of the window and you can see snowflakes falling gently onto the streets, which are already covered in ice. The first thought that pops into your head is the journey to work. Before you can even enjoy your first sip of coffee, your mobile phone vibrates with an urgent notification: The train is on strike, again, without warning. Your heart sinks. This scenario is not a rare nightmare, but a very real one for millions of commuters in Germany who have to face the daily challenge of getting to their workplace in another city.

The latest figures from the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development underline the scale of this challenge: Over 20.3 million people made this journey every day in 2022. A journey that is often more like an obstacle course, characterised by traffic jams, unexpected strikes and high stress levels. But as insurmountable as these obstacles may seem, there are ways to overcome them. 

In this article, we share seven tried-and-tested tips with you that will not only lower your stress levels, but also make you more motivated and relaxed when you arrive at work. 

What exactly is stress? 

Stress - a small word with a big impact. But what is actually behind it? Put simply, stress is our Physical reaction to challenges or threats. Varying from person to person, what gets you down may leave someone else cold. Stress comes in many guises: from the adrenaline rush you get when battling through morning traffic to feeling overwhelmed at work.

But did you know that not all stress is bad? In the right doses, it can actually help us to perform better. Nevertheless, when occasional stress becomes a constant companion, then we have a problem. A survey shows that around two thirds of Germans sometimes or often feel stressed. This is a clear sign that many of us need to learn to deal with stress better or, at best, to avoid it.

Eustress vs. distress: the two sides of the coin

Stress is not just a matter of perception; it also has a very real physiological component. Let's start with the Eustress, the positive stress. It's like a targeted boost of adrenaline that helps us achieve our goals. Think of the satisfying feeling you get when you overcome a challenge or the excitement before an important event. This type of stress is short-lived and leaves us with a sense of fulfilment and pride. It drives us to push our limits and try new things. Eustress is a critical component of learning and personal development. It is the spark that ignites innovation and creativity.

In contrast, the Distress, the negative stress, that drags us down. It arises when we feel overwhelmed, lose control or challenges pile up with no end in sight. Distress is often accompanied by feelings of anxiety, worry or frustration. Prolonged distress can undermine our wellbeing, lead to burnout and affect our ability to think clearly and work effectively and safely. The body is put into fight-or-flight mode without a clear situation for flight or fight. This prolonged tension is harmful to our body and mind.

Constant stress: the silent epidemic of our time

Permanent stress, also known as chronic stress, is one of the greatest health challenges of our time. It arises when we continuous in one State of distress without sufficient rest or relaxation. The modern working world, with its constantly increasing demands, unclear role definitions and the difficulty of harmonising work and private life, is a fertile breeding ground for this type of stress.

The effects of constant stress should not be underestimated. It can lead to a downward spiral in which physical and mental health can deteriorate. Mental health problems reinforce each other. Constant stress impairs cognitive function, reduces creativity and decision-making ability and can lead to depression and anxiety. On a physical level, the consequences are just as serious: from high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease.

It is therefore crucial to recognise the signs of long-term stress and take active measures to reduce it. 

But wait a minute - didn't I just come from work? Was that already a work or commuting accident? If so, what do I have to do now? We will answer these and other questions in the following guide and go into more detail about what lies behind the dry term "commuting accident" and talk about other things such as risks, protective measures and what the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) has to do with it. Because let's be honest: at the end of the day, we all just want to arrive safely - but if that's not the case, we want to be as prepared as possible, don't we?  

What exactly are occupational and work-related accidents?

Now, before we delve deeper into the subject matter, let's first clarify what is meant by accidents at work and work-related accidents. These are accidents that occur at work or while travelling on business. An accident, as defined by the DGUV is a sudden, external event that causes physical damage. Sounds pretty straightforward, and it is.

The interesting thing is that insured activities not only include the work itself, but also a lot of things that happen around it. Whether it's a business trip where you slip and fall in the hotel, a company sporting event that's not about winning a gold medal, or a Christmas party where everyone can really switch off. All these activities are covered by the insurance as long as they are within the scope of the insurance.n Connection with the work stand.

But of course there are also limits. Not every incident is considered an accident at work. If you twist your back while secretly doing yoga in the office or stumble on the way to work while shopping privately, this is not covered. Accidents that you provoke yourself, whether through negligence or even intent - or because last night's party was too wild after all - are also not covered.

Road accidents explained: What you need to know to navigate safely

Back to my fall story on the way home... Then it dawned on me: when employees have an accident on the way to or from work, it's called a commuting accident in legalese. But what exactly does that mean for me and everyone else who navigates to work more or less elegantly?

DGUV formulates it like this:"Commuting accidents are accidents suffered by insured persons on the way to or from work or training centres. In principle, the direct route is insured."

A commuting accident is therefore more or less a work accident gone wrong - it affects everyone who is on their way to work or back home. This includes a colourful group of people: Full-time employees, the hard-working students and pupils, the heroes of volunteering and those caring for relatives at home. As soon as you set foot out the door, the insurance clock starts ticking - at least until you return.

The basics: When does it count as a commuting accident?

• From the front door to coming home: The protection of your professional journey begins when you leave your four walls and ends the moment you enter them again.

• Detours allowed: Life is not always a straight path. If you have to deviate from your usual route, your cover remains in place - provided the diversions is route- or work-related and does not serve a private purpose. 

• Time for me = break in protection: A spontaneous shopping trip or a quick espresso with friends temporarily interrupts your insurance cover.

• The choice is yours: The way you get to work - whether by public transport, bike or even on inline skates - doesn't matter. What matters is that your protection begins and ends when you open and close your front door.