If you would like to avoid stress and delays when commuting to work, you might need to consider alternative solutions and plan ahead. With an increasing number fo cars on the roads of the United States every year, you need to adjust to the traffic conditions and make sure you do not spend more time behind the wheel than necessary. Read the below tips to improve your daily commute.
1. Make Sure You Stay Entertained
If you have an infotainment system in the car, you should use it. Don’t get distracted by social media, but make sure that you take your favorite tracks, or have your radio station stored. If you are entertained, time goes faster, no matter how long the traffic jam is and how tired you are of driving. You might even want to join a car share project at work and share the car with someone else. Having a meaningful conversation can help you forget about commuting.
2. Be Comfortable
If you know that your commute will take longer than 30 minutes, you might want to pack your suit and smart shoes in the trunk and travel comfortably. This will help you relax more and make you feel home. If you start five minutes earlier, you will have plenty of time to change before you meet anyone at work.
3. Reduce Stress
If driving to work stresses you out, you are not alone. Reacting to people’s driving style and actions and being on the lookout for sudden lane changes can be challenging. Never leave the house stressed. While coffee is good for waking you up and keeping you alert in the morning, if you have too much caffeine, you will suffer from increased anxiety. Try to relax in the morning before you get in the car, instead of rushing through the door.
4. Learn Something Every Day
If you are interested in a new development in your industry, or want to listen to a speech of your favorite public speaker, download the MP3 file and listen to it on the way to your workplace. This way, you can stay informed and productive. Instead of focusing on being stuck on the road, you can learn a new language, skill, or get great ideas to improve your life.
5. Reward Yourself
Daily commutes sometimes seem never-ending. Make sure that you keep the end goal in mind. Would you like to stop at a great coffee shop to get a special cappuccino? Do you want to try the home-made pie on the corner? Make sure you create a reward for yourself upon completing your journey and stay motivated. Keep on challenging yourself every day, and you will become a more relaxed and more confident driver when commuting.
Some people prefer listening to music or podcast during their daily commute, while others like the company of others. No matter what your preference is, make sure you are calm, confident, comfortable, and relaxed behind the wheel when talking challenging or routine journeys.
