How to Not Hate Your Commute
For most Americans, the reality of a long ride to work is inevitable. The city of Los Angeles recently won the title of having the worst traffic in the world. And cities such as New York, San Francisco, and Atlanta made the top 10 list as well.
With some of us spending hundreds of hours a year stuck in traffic, it’s no wonder we all dread our commute to work every morning. We’ve got some tips here for you today to help you beat the beep and creep blues.
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Try Public Transportation
Many cities have great public transportation systems in place that could make your commute much less stressful. If you’re able to take a train or a bus into the office, you could spend that extra time reading, listening to music or podcasts, or even getting some extra sleep. You can also feel better about this choice because it’s better for the environment.
But, this isn’t always feasible depending on where you live. If driving yourself is a necessary evil of your life, these next tips are for you.
Find a Productive Hobby
These days there are plenty of ways to keep yourself entertained while stuck in the car. You could download podcasts about your interests or your career and learn something new. There are also audio books and apps designed to help you learn a new language while heading into the office. If you start to view your time in the car as a fun activity where you can learn and grow as a person, it might make your travels less of a pain, and even enjoyable!
Make Your Car Your Zen Space
While you definitely need to keep your eyes on the road while you’re driving, you can still do some calming practices. You could try mindful breathing exercises and listening to a relaxation playlist while driving.
Unplug
You already shouldn’t be using your phone or any other electronic devices while you’re driving, but this could be an extra motivator. Make your time in the car on the way to and from work your quiet, alone time. Don’t answer phone calls, texts, or emails. Maybe listen to some quiet music or just enjoy a little bit of silence. You might even find yourself feeling more relaxed and ready to take on the tasks of the day if you can start it off so peacefully.
Consider Carpooling
If you have a coworker who lives nearby or a friend who works in the same building as you, you could consider driving in together. If you can switch off driving responsibilities, you’ll be able to save on gas money and be able to relax by not having to constantly be the one behind the wheel. You might also enjoy having someone to have conversations with during an otherwise lonely part of the day.
With these tips, your commute doesn’t have to be something you totally dread!
Do you have any other tips for making your drive to and from work less of a hassle? Let us know on Facebook!
