5 Secrets to Stop Your Commute from Turning into a Nightmare

How to prevent nightmare? 

As the average time spent commuting continues to rise, many drivers now find themselves asking a tricky question. What does it take to make long commutes tolerable? It’s easy to put up with at first. But after a while, spending long stretches of time cooped up in a car is downright excruciating. Each trip ends up feeling longer than the last, and the traffic gets more frustrating with every journey. So, what does it take to survive long commutes?

Face it, Commutes are Here to Stay

Long commutes are slowly but surely becoming an unavoidable part of life for the majority of drivers. According to data from the United States Census Bureau, the average amount of time spent commuting in America has risen exponentially in the past decade. Whereas the overall workforce has grown at a rounded-off rate of 2% since 2014, the number of workers with hour-long commutes has increased at a rounded-off rate of 5%. Moreover, workers with extreme commutes of 90 minutes or more have increased by 8% within the same time period. Whether we do it for work, or for leisure, the fact is, we are all spending more and more time in our cars.

Here are a few tips on how to make your commute less stressful:

1) Make Your Commute Productive

If you have no choice but to sit in traffic for hours and hours, try multitasking in order sharpen a new skill. If you’re using public transportation, use that time to read and learn from literature. If you have to drive personally, invest in an audio book or a streaming course which can narrate a topic to you.

2) Take the Scenic Route

The main reason why driving feels boring after a while is because of monotony. The easiest way to counteract monotony is to be spontaneous. Something as basic as following a different route can completely transform your mood while you drive.

3) Team Up

The silence of driving to work on your own is enough to drive anyone stir-crazy. Try carpooling with friends to give yourself some company during the journey. Breaking up your routine this way adds lots of interesting conversation to the trip.

4) Get Some Entertainment

One good way to tackle boredom on the road is to invest in a sizeable audio playlist. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box either. Music is an obvious choice, but it can also enhance your driving experience to listen to alternative content such as stand-up comedy, talk shows, tutorials and more.

5) Plan Ahead

If you’re going to spend a lot of time in your car, don’t just buckle up and drive as if the trip is going to take minutes. Prepare yourself mentally and physically beforehand so that you can maximize comfort. For example, get good rest, wear accommodating clothes, stretch your muscles and hydrate.

Conclusion

If driving is an important part of your daily routine, there’s no harm in taking a little time to make it a comfortable experience. The less stress endured as you drive, the healthier you will be both physically and mentally. Don’t get so caught up in work that you forget to take care of yourself. Especially when doing something as sensitive as driving. For more information, visit our website or give us a call at 1 (888) 823-7757 to find out how The RISE Academy can help you break past your daily struggles and start soaring in success. For business development coaching by Richard Martinez, call at 626-202-2291 or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.