If your mornings and afternoons are made up of sitting in traffic, we feel your pain here at Hightech Automotive. There are some ways you can make your commute more bearable. One of the most important things you can do is to keep your vehicle maintained. This way, the only thing you are worrying about when you are sitting in traffic is the traffic itself and not whether your car will break down. Let’s talk about how to handle your commute without going insane.
Listen
When we say listen, we don’t mean listen to the traffic and all of the other angry drivers. Rather, we say listen to music, your favorite podcasts, or an audiobook. Don’t think of your commute as a time of uselessness and waste. Rather, think of your commute as a time for you. Use the time that you are sitting in your car to enjoy your favorite playlist or podcast. Use the time that you are sitting in your car to listen to an audiobook by your favorite author. Rethink your commute and turn it into “me time.”
Learn
Your commute is also an ideal time to learn something. If you’ve always wanted to learn Spanish or French, download an audio app and pick up a new language. Make sure the app you use doesn’t include visual cues, as you cannot be looking at your cell phone while you are driving. You can also listen to the news if you want to know what’s going on in the world or an autobiography or history audiobook. There are many ways you can learn while you are sitting in traffic, all of which are auditory.
Dwell
Take the time during your commute for a little self-reflection. Prep yourself for your day in the morning by thinking about the things that are bothering you and coming up with solutions. Release your day in the afternoon by going over the things that upset you during the day and letting them go. This gets you home in a much better mood to spend time with your family. You can also take this time and use it as a mental-health break. Reflect on your behaviors and come up with ways to change the behaviors you don’t like.
Finally, you cannot enjoy your commute if you don’t have your favorite beverage and snack with you. Hightech Automotive in Forest City, NC, recommends decaffeinated beverages if that fave happens to be coffee or tea. Caffeine will make your commute more intolerable.