I'm a mental health therapist. I really need the ride to and from work just to clear my head. The commute is about to change quite a bit next week with a carpooling arrangement, so tomorrow and the next few days will be my last 11 mile rides to and from work. I'll still have a couple miles but it's not going to be the extended ride that I like.
As for what makes me happy when commuting, it's good manners of both cyclists and automobile drivers, but especially cyclists.