Seven Ways To Make The Most Of Your Long Commutes

For a good number of us, long commutes are unavoidable. ABC News reports that “the traffic watchers at Texas Transportation Institute shows that cities across the nation are facing more congestion than ever. In the 68 urban areas studied, the average driver spends 34 hours a year in traffic jams. In Los Angeles, drivers sit stagnant for 82 hours each year. The amount of time drivers spend stuck in traffic has grown by at least 350 percent over the past 16 years.” The tedium can become almost unbearable at times but there are ways to make that time in traffic more pleasant and hey, maybe even enjoyable. Here are some ways to combat the commuter blues.

By Car:

Parlez-Vous Francais? Learn to speak French, or any other language, while you drive to and from work. It’s the perfect time to practice, especially if you are driving alone and worry about feeling silly repeating phrases aloud over and over.

Audio Books. There are literally thousands of books available on audio, from non-fiction, to current best-sellers, to classic works of literature. Check out the selection from a vendor such as Audible.com.

Podcasts. Like audio books, there are thousands of podcasts available. If you enjoy news, check out National Public Radio’s complete Podcast List. For a more varied listing, try iTunes Podcasts or try Podcast.com for podcasts from around the world.

Keep Learning. Listen to lectures from modern and classic thinkers and learn more about whatever you are interested in, from art, to science, to medicine, and more. iTunes-U has an entire section devoted to learning to keep your mind sharp and your education evolving.

By Public Transport:

Flirt! If you are single, the time spent on the train, subway, or bus can be a great place to meet new people. It’s easy to strike up a conversation. Comment on what they are reading, ask where they work, or how often they take the train, and you may well find your time racing past and maybe you’ll have a date for the weekend!

Crosswords or Sudoko. Both are a great way to keep your mind active and without the necessity of having to keep your hands on the wheel, you are free to pursue this intellectual activity. And if you get stuck, you may be able to incorporate “flirting” into your commuting time and ask that attractive guy or girl next to you to help you out!

Sleep. I know this is difficult for many people, but I have the wonderful ability to fall asleep anywhere, at any time. I often use train commutes to catch a few extra winks, but have learned to set an alarm so I don’t wind up in another state.