Top 10 Ways To Improve Your Daily Commute That You Hate

Top 10 Ways To Improve Your Daily Commute That You HateCommuting can be terriblean annoying, uncomfortable waste of time. But it is also an opportunity to multitask in your busy life. Whether youre driving or taking public transport (or even walking or biking), here are 10 ways you can turn a negative into a positive. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) 1. Listen to PodcastsTake a little downtime and catch up on all the reading you arent doing. Try a podcast or even an audiobook (on headphones or your car stereo). Your commute time will fly by and youll learn stuff Plus youll get all the pleasure of reading without having to have your hands free.2. Discover New MusicBored of your same old Spotify playlists? Tired of your music and not sure where to turn for your new favorite tunes? Use your commute to try new artists. If you have wi-fi access while commuting, try a streaming station. If not, make a list of bands you hear about on the radio o r at work and look for them on Spotify and download a playlist to your phone. If you like it, keep it If not, delete3. Practice Self CareYour commute might be the only time you have to yourself in the week. Make yourself a priority and do something for your mental well being. Try doing gratitude journaling exercises, or just thinking about things that are going really well in your life. Try a simple meditation technique. Or deep breathing. Try giving yourself time to read something for pleasure and tune the rest of the world outprovided you dont miss your stop. Or use the time to connect via phone or email (provided you arent driving) to a friend or family member you dont get to landsee enough. If all else fails, just try to decompress a bit and cut your stress.4. Leave Earlier So You Can Slow DownGive yourself a little extra time so youre not always racing to be on time. If you know you can take your time, you can linger a bit and smell the roses, so to speakor the coffee Take a mo ment to sit and sip a latte. Or enjoy not being panicked when you run into traffic. Slowing down a little can really be a grounding way to start your day.5. Check in With Your Work ProgressMaybe evaluating your progress weekly is too daunting a task. But if youre stuck on a train or in traffic, you can always do a little self-review and see how you did meeting your goals that day. And strategize how you can improve tomorrow. Make sure youre actually working through your top priorities, and not just spending your day on less important stuff.6.Mix Up Your Route Once in a WhileIf your commute is too long or annoying, try to find a better workaround Thinking outside your rut can actually give your brain a boost, and you might just find a way to make your life that much more pleasant Keep in mind a longer route thats less annoying or has fewer stops could make all the difference.7. Brainstorm Solutions to Your ProblemsUse the time to brainstorm or troubleshoot problems at home or at work . Take advantage of being alone with your own thoughts and start strategizing. You never know, the next big answer might come while youre just spacing out and giving your brain a break.8. Sit in SilenceMaybe your life moves too nahe daran sein and youre already optimizing every waking moment to get the most out of your time. Maybe you read and listen and engage too much. Maybe you try to cram too much in. Try turning off your phone, your music, putting away that book or magazine and just sit there not doing anything at all. Concentrate only on getting where you need to go safely. You and your fellow commuters will all benefit.9. MeditateBe present in the moment. You dont need special props or techniques. Just be where you are, take a few breaths, and maybe shut your eyes. Give your brain the recharge it deserves.10.Ask If You Can Skip ItAll that said, if you have the opportunity to work remotely, or could convince your boss, then you wouldnt have to commute every day. Make the argum ent about how much more productive you could be in that time. Its always worth a shot If thats not an option, consider moving closer, or carpooling. Anything to condense or cut out this part of your daily grind.