Remote work was the standard during the global pandemic, and that greatly reduced the time employees spent traveling to their places of employment. But now that many workers have been called back to business offices, professionals are once again facing the prospect of much longer commutes.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the average one-way commute is 25.4 minutes. The National Association of Home Builders reports a time of 26.8 minutes. However, ask many employees and they’ll suggest that their commute times feel longer, particularly when increased traffic on the nation’s roadways continues to be a concern.
Commuting is seldom something to relish, but there are ways to make daily trips to the office more manageable.
Try public transportation. Leaving the driving to someone else can make commuting a bit less taxing. If buses, trains or trollies are available where you live, consider taking them to work rather than driving alone in your car. This will free you up for other activities during the trip, such as reading or organizing tasks for the week.
Listen to audiobooks. Many people lament they don’t have as much time to read as they want. Audiobooks provide a great way to enjoy a best-seller while on the way to work and solve the problem of having too little time to read.
Use a commute to relax. While it may seem counterintuitive, commutes can be transformed into relaxing moments when you practice mindfulness or meditation. Try deep breathing exercises to calm your mind.
Vary your route. Take a different way to work a few times each week instead of the same roads over and over. A new route varies the view along the way and you’ll learn alternatives if there is a traffic jam or detour.
Embrace outdoor time. If possible, incorporate some outdoor time into your commute. For example, biking or walking a portion of the commute can make it more enjoyable. Getting fresh air and exercise can tame stress and improve mood.
Maximize physical comfort. Making a vehicle as comfortable as possible can improve a commute. When selecting a vehicle, opt for one with supportive seats with comfort features like lumbar support and heated seats. Set up the interior so that your coffee or tea is within reach, and stock sunglasses or other necessities in storage areas so the car does not feel cluttered.
Compile a commuting playlist. Figure out the mood you want to set during your commute and then curate a playlist that reflects that desired vibe. Do you want mellow, relaxing songs, or do you prefer upbeat, uplifting tunes? This way you’re not beholden to the offerings on the radio or satellite services.
