7 Tips to Stop Hating Your Commute

Almost every person you meet that has a long commute will tell you that they hate it. People mostly complain about living far away from their office, traffic jams, about having to wake up extra early or getting home late. Commuting has also been correlated to an increased risk of obesity, neck and back pain, stress, sleeping disorders and other health problems. What most people don’t realize is that they can use this time to do things they enjoy. Here are some tips to make your commute better.

Do activities that you enjoy

You can take advantage of the time spent driving or on public transportation to do leisure activities you enjoy. This can include reading a book, catching up on the news or talking to friends and family. If you’re driving and can’t use a handheld device, you have options too. There are hundreds of podcasts about a wide range of topics that can be great for the ride home, udio books are also a good option, curate a playlist on Spotify with new music from your favorite artists or talk to friends or family over the phone (using your phone on hands-free mode of course). The more activities you find that you like and can safely do on your commute, the more enjoyable it can become.

Cycle to your job

If your work is a short drive away from home but traffic makes it feel like it’s twice the distance, try a different method of transportation. Take advantage of your location and try running or biking to the office. Find a safe trail where you can run or a safe route where you can ride your bicycle; not only will this make your commute more interesting and different but you’ll be able to squeeze in a quick workout before work. This could even replace going to the gym after work, giving you extra free time to spend with family and friends or on other activities.

Leave home earlier

If you’re someone that leaves home with just barely enough time to get to the office, you may find yourself racing through traffic trying to beat the clock. Not only is this dangerous for your, but for other drivers and pedestrians as well. Speeding has been found as one of the top causes of car accidents, so not only is this dangerous for you, but for other drivers and pedestrians as well. Prevent an unfortunate accident from happening and leave home earlier. Even if you leave the house 10 to 15 minutes earlier you’ll find that it can make a big difference. Motivate yourself to leave earlier by grabbing coffee at your favorite spot or a quick breakfast before getting to work.

Try carpooling

If your commute is long and has heavy traffic, you should consider carpooling with a co-worker or friend who works nearby. One of the benefits of sharing your ride is you can save money on gas by splitting the cost between the occupants in your carpool; the more occupants, the more money everyone saves. Carpooling is also better for the environment because there are fewer cars on the road releasing greenhouse gases. Sharing your commute can make it more fun by having someone you can talk to during the ride, which will also help you fight drowsiness after a long work day. If you’re having trouble finding someone you can carpool with, Waze App has a feature that matches you with riders and drivers that are going the same way.

Wear comfortable shoes

If your commute involves walking long distances, it’s worth noting that wearing comfortable shoes will make it easier and less painful. If you’re a woman and love to wear heals to work, try investing in a comfortable pair of flats that you could use during your commute and then put away in your purse when you switch to heels. Same goes to men; men’s dress shoes can be just as uncomfortable as heels, so try buying dress shoes that you know will be comfortable to walk in every day. It may seem inconvenient to carry an extra pair of shoes, but your feet will thank you every day when you’re running up and down the subway stairs.

Snooze between stops

If you’re using public transportation for commuting, then you have an advantage over drivers: You can take naps! If you’re feeling tired after a long day of work, take a quick nap on your way home to relax and de-stress, just make sure not to miss your stop.

Relax and enjoy the ride

Get into a mindset where you won’t stress about the traffic, this is something you don’t have any control over and that you must go through. Stressing about traffic won’t make it go away or make you get to your destination faster. Road rage can result in car accidents because drivers are so desperate to get to their destination that they make dangerous mistakes while driving. Use apps to help you relax, try Ambi Pro for ambient noise and Calm app, which has great breathing exercises. Use this time to disconnect from work, your family, and everyday worries that you may be overthinking while on your commute.

Commuting doesn’t have to be as insufferable as everyone paints it out to be. Find something that you enjoy doing while driving or on public transportation. You may discover new interests, a great book, or a new favorite show. Who knows, maybe your commute can turn into your favorite part of the day.