According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Americans log an average of 27.6 minutes getting to work each day with a Morning Commute. When you factor in the drive home, that means we’re spending nearly a full hour commuting per day. Add it all up and that amounts to nearly 260 hours or a full week and a half on the road. That’s a lot of time! While it may seem like a huge waste, there are some great things you can do during your commute time to make it enjoyable and maybe even a little bit productive.
- Enrich Yourself — Want to make your morning commute a time to increase your knowledge? Use the extra time to explore a new topic, learn a new language or bone up on some professional skills. Anytime you’re relying on your device, make sure to keep it hands-free! Invest in a quality phone mount and use voice commands while driving.
- Listen to podcasts that teach you something new in an engaging way. Try Revisionist History, Stuff You Should Know or Overheard at National Geographic.
- Learn a new language. The car is a great place to practice new languages and bone up on ones you already know. There are many top-notch audio language programs out there that are great for your drive and are reasonably affordable, including Rosetta Stone and others.
- Listen to audiobooks. These days, virtually all popular books are made into audiobooks so you can listen to them on your way to and from work.
- Practice singing. Use the spare car time to learn how to sing or improve your music skills. The car is a great place to practice for those who are shy! Singing along to your playlist is a great way to reduce stress, especially after a day at work.
2.De–Stress (But Stay Alert) — While it’s great to sharpen your mind, your commute is also a great time to de-stress and focus on the road. Of course, you must choose de-stressing activities that don’t send you into a mindless stupor, as this can shorten your reaction time and put you in danger while you’re behind the wheel.
- Listen to relaxing music, but make sure it’s upbeat enough to keep you on your toes. Anything too relaxing could make you feel drowsy.
- Repeat relaxing mantras that help you center yourself and calm your mind. This can be especially helpful for those with driving anxieties.
- Catch up with friends. Did you know that fostering friendships can lead to lower stress levels? Since many of us are far too busy to see friends every day — or even every week sometimes — talking on the phone is a great way to stay connected. Again, just make sure to keep it hands-free!
3.Take Your Time — Nothing ruins an otherwise great morning like rushing to get to work. Giving yourself 15 extra minutes to get there isn’t just a smart way to reduce stress. It also provides you with the opportunity to take longer scenic routes and explore your area. We all get tired of the same old drive — especially if it’s a boring highway — but leaving just a little bit earlier will encourage you to explore and help you switch things up. Plan your route before you leave so you don’t get lost and wind up getting to work late. Capture it all and make your commute safer with a dash cam.
4. Make Your Car Comfier — You’ll enjoy the drive a whole lot more if you actually like being in your car. Make your vehicle an extension of your home by bringing in elements that make it more comfortable and pleasant. From small trinkets and decorations to cushy seat enhancements, you won’t want to get out of the car with these extras.
- Keep your devices powered with a reliable car charger so your phone never goes dead while listening to music and podcasts. This is also a nice thing to have in the car to offer passengers.
- Put a seat cushion pad on the driver’s seat to add a layer of softness and comfort, perfect for those long drives.
- Use a padded seat belt cover to prevent your seatbelt from digging into you on long drives. Just make sure they’re designed specifically for your car.
- Invest in car organizers to keep all your personal items within arm’s reach. This will keep you from rifling around to find your sunglasses, etc.
- Bring in air fresheners that smell nice to create an enjoyable atmosphere.
- Add a little décor. You don’t want to go too over the top, but adding some personal touches can make you feel even more at home in your car.
- Give your car a tune-up. If you’ve noticed that your commute feels a bit rocky or unstable, you can enhance comfort and create a smoother ride with new tires and shock absorbers.
5. Bring Along a Treat — While we don’t recommend eating meals while driving — this can be distracting and lead to accidents — that doesn’t mean you can’t add some flavor to your commute with a tasty beverage. Go for a fancy coffee drink, a nice soothing tea, a smoothie from your local juice bar or something simple but healthy, like water with fruit infusions. If you struggle to drink water while you drive, try investing in a high-quality insulated tumbler to keep your drinks nice and cold for longer drives.
Many of us see commuting as a necessary evil of daily life, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Driving can provide you with the unique opportunity to reflect, de-stress and enrich yourself, so think of it as a time for betterment. This will help you dread it less and maybe even help you get out of bed earlier each day!
