Enhancing Relaxation on the Go: Exploring the Impact of a Novel Mobile App-Guided Exercises during Commute

Relaxation plays a vital role in enhancing the commute experience. Incorporating exercise into commute routines has been suggested as an effective means to promote relaxation. This study explores the novel concept of utilizing mobile app-guided exercise during the commute to enhance relaxation and its potential impact on overall well-being. This area has yet to be investigated. The particular processes by which travel fosters relaxation have yet to be widely recognized, so there is a need for additional research better to comprehend the psychological and physical benefits of travel relaxation. In this study, we introduced a travel relaxation feature in the Peacify app to address the absence of such features in existing apps. Through a cross-sectional survey, 91 participants from Dhaka city were enlisted between September 2022 and October 2023. Using snowball sampling, participants were recruited via social media and completed an anonymous online questionnaire. The Satisfaction with Travel Scale (STS) measured travel satisfaction and a few demographic questions, while descriptive and chi-square tests analyzed relationships between variables. A Pearson correlation analysis explored the correlation between Travel Relaxation Techniques before and after the intervention. Descriptive statistics for the before and after the intervention indicate a potential positive impact on the participants' satisfaction during travel. Participants preferred mindful breathing (62.6%) and found shoulder rolls (48.4%) as the leading challenge. 71.4% of participants reported that the Peacify travel relaxation techniques were helpful. The results provide empirical support for the efficacy of the intervention in improving participants' overall travel experiences, resulting in a highly significant two-tailed p-value of p<0.001. The Pearson correlation coefficient is 0.266, and the associated p-value is .011. This correlation is statistically significant at the 0.05 level (two-tailed). The study assessed the effectiveness of the mobile app in promoting travel relaxation through physical activities. The results indicated decreased stress levels, an enhanced emotional state, and heightened calmness while travelling. Most participants preferred mindful breathing, although some encountered challenges with shoulder roll exercises. Statistical analysis showed a significant positive correlation between before- and after-intervention responses. The results emphasize the practical utility of apps in enhancing travel relaxation and suggest their potential for promoting well-being in travel contexts.