10 Productive Things to Do During Your Commute
FOR many people, the daily commute to work is a draining ordeal. The daily commute, whether you drive in rush hour traffic or take public transportation, can be extremely taxing on your body and...
FOR many people, the daily commute to work is a draining ordeal. The daily commute, whether you drive in rush hour traffic or take public transportation, can be extremely taxing on your body and mind.
Getting stuck in traffic is a common source of fatigue on the way to and from work every day. When traffic is heavy and you’re stuck in a jam for a long time, the daily commute can be a source of stress. Sitting in traffic can cause stress, which can manifest physically as a sore back, shoulders, or neck. The mental toll of sitting in traffic at all times can be significant, leading to exhaustion and irritability.
Taking public transportation is an alternative for many people who need to get to and from work, but it has its own set of difficulties. Overwhelming and unpleasant, crowded public transportation, such as buses, trains, or subways. Muscle fatigue and aches are a real possibility if you have to stand for a long time. Stress and worry are compounded by the regular cancellations and delays of public transportation.
The mental toll of the daily commute is often overlooked. Commuting can be stressful and tiring, making it difficult to concentrate and get work done. Your interactions with coworkers and customers may suffer as a result of your mood swings.
There are some things you can do to make your commute less taxing on your body and mind. If you can, plan your workday so that you don’t have to commute during rush hour. Rather than fighting traffic on your way to work, think about taking public transportation, carpooling, or biking. In addition, you can unwind by doing things like reading, listening to music, or meditating during your commute.
In conclusion, driving to and from work every day can be taxing on your body and mind. Taking measures to alleviate the strain and exhaustion of your daily commute can have positive effects on your health and productivity.
To help you feel productive and proactive during those busy drives, train rides, and seemingly endless subway stops, here are the 10 productive things to do while commuting.
- Play some tunes.
Having a great playlist can help you in many ways mentally. The soothing sounds of music can do more than just lift your spirits. Music has been shown to boost concentration, memory, motivation, and stamina.
The problem with listening to the same playlist over and over again is that it gets boring after a while, despite how common it is. Making a fresh playlist on the weekend can give you something to look forward to when Monday finally arrives.
- Listen to an audiobook or read a book.
If you’re a passenger, rather than mindlessly browsing Instagram, you should consider purchasing a book or downloading an audiobook. Choosing books you’ve wanted to read but never had the time for is a great way to kickstart your reading habit.
Alternating between fiction and nonfiction is a great way to boost your productivity, health, and happiness. I think the following books would be helpful for aspiring business owners:
The book by Charles Duhigg on how to be more productive in life and work is titled “Smarter, Faster, Better.”
The QuickStart Guide to Establishing Your Own Business, by Ken Colwell
Atomic Habits, by James Clear, is “An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones.”
Jobs, written by Walter Isaacson
Book by Arlan Hamilton with the catchy subtitle “It’s About Damn Time: How to Turn Being Underestimated into Your Greatest Advantage.”
- Listen to a podcast.
Listening to podcasts is a great way to pass the time on long commutes. Listening to uplifting conversations is one of my favourite ways to kickstart my day.
This weekend, devote some time to exploring podcasts and identifying your favourites. A podcast is similar to a television programme. When you find one you really like, you can’t wait to start reading it.
- Work on a side project.
You might be wondering if you have the time or energy to start a blog when you’re also running a business, going out, taking care of your family, and managing your day-to-day responsibilities.Ahem, unless you figure out how to cut down on your travel time.You can get a lot of work done on your art, side gig, or personal project on the commute to and from work. Plan to accomplish things that will help you grow professionally while you commute.Obviously, commuting is best suited for less intensive tasks. It doesn’t seem like the best idea to try to juggle an easel on a crowded train.
- Set personal goals for the day.
Author of Building Smarter Habits Thomas Oppong claims that successful people always envision the end result first.
He advises, “Consider the destination before deciding on the means.” Set a specific target and put in as much effort as possible to achieve it. You need to prioritise your goals and get to work right away.
You’ll be more productive, get to your goal faster, and reduce procrastination if you start your day by working on the projects that inspire you most, he says.
- Transition roles during commute time.
Professor Francesca Gino of Harvard Business School found in 2018 that commuting time is better spent preparing for work rather than unwinding or listening to music. Make a list of the three things you need to get done today, picture yourself accomplishing them in your mind’s eye, and aim for achievable outcomes. This way, you’ll be ready to go as soon as you walk through the door at work.
- Organize your to-do list.
Create a new to-do list or revise an existing one as you ride to and from work. Making a daily to-do list and prioritising your activities will increase your chances of success.
If you need to stay on the road and can’t physically jot down a list, mentally going through the steps can help. You could also make use of the memo or voice recording features on your mobile device. Always maintain focus on the road in front of you.
- Practice mindfulness.
It might not be the best idea to meditate on the subway or bus. Mindfulness training, however, can be done whenever and wherever it is convenient.
Some of the best ideas come from Pocket Mindfulness, like taking a closer look at nature or pondering the significance of five everyday things. Keeping a journal is another healthy practise. What you find when you put pen to paper may come as a pleasant surprise.
- Enroll in an online course.
Abby Miller writes for Calendar that “by enrolling in an online course, you may boost your commute productivity to new heights.” People who are constantly on the move are the only ones who can benefit from this strategy.
Abby chimes in, “Because you need to be totally focused or you won’t learn anything.” Take a half-hour class once a day for a month, and you might learn something new!
It’s quite common for people to acquire new knowledge while travelling to and from work. Many people find that their thirty-minute or hour-long commute is the ideal amount of time to study and prepare for tests.
- Develop your personal brand.
Having a robust and current personal brand is crucial in the modern era. Consider how you’d like people to see you as you ride to work.
As you travel to and from work, you can:
Refresh your online presence by adding new work.
Keep your LinkedIn profile current.
Remove any irrelevant or outdated content from your social media accounts.
Reach out to friends and acquaintances, both old and new.
Create a schedule of potential networking opportunities.
It’s important to reply to cold emails and connection requests.
