Commuting doesn’t have to be annoying: Here’s how to make the most of your commute

Traffic jams, delays, exhausting people – commuting can be a real pain. But instead of just looking at the whole thing as a burden, you can also use the time on the way to work for yourself.

Hand on heart, is there anyone who likes to commute? A long commute costs valuable time every day and makes the working day feel longer than it actually is. Almost 20 million people commute in Germany: Some have to fight their way through their own city, others go on an odyssey from where they live to where they work. Traffic jams and poor public transport connections often stand in their way. So it’s no wonder that commuting is perceived as a nuisance. But can’t you get more out of your commute?

6 ideas to make your commute more productive

Having to commute to work every day can have a negative impact on work performance and the psyche. The loss of time can be a strain on private life because there is little room for relaxation, household chores, hobbies, family and friends. In addition, traffic chaos and delays cause unnecessary stress and pressure. For many, commuting is nothing more than a necessary evil. But why should you just accept that? Your commute doesn’t have to be a waste of time, you can use it for both productivity and recreation. An infographic from Motor1.com shows how this works with six ideas:

Podcasts instead of music

Instead of listening to your favorite music while driving – which can of course also be very relaxing – you can try switching to audio books and podcasts. Many commuters already use the numerous, often free audio services not only to be entertained on the way to work, but also to learn something and further their education. Whether it’s a specialist lecture, industry knowledge or a light novel – podcasts and audio books not only take the boredom out of commuting, they also get you further.

Conversations instead of stress

Are you stuck in traffic again or is the train unable to continue due to a signal fault? Instead of grumbling in annoyance, you can just as well use the time to talk to your loved ones. Turn on the hands-free system in the car and put on your headset in public transport to make a call. It doesn’t matter whether it’s your partner, parents, children or friends – a short conversation that you might not otherwise have time for after work can lift your spirits and take the feeling of wasting time away from the commute. If you rely on your car to get to work, you can also consider carpooling. This is not only better for the environment, but you also have direct company to make possible waiting times in traffic more pleasant.

plan your day

Good planning will help you save time and work more effectively. But very few people feel like making a to-do list for the next day after work. So why not use the time on the way to work for this, especially if you use local transport and therefore have your hands free. Instead of your daily planning, you can also turn boredom on the journey into creative ideas that may have been floating around in your head for a while, but for which there was little time until now. And if you want to cross a few things off the to-do list right away, you can also do smaller tasks while commuting, such as answering emails or making short phone calls.

Just relax

Commuting is often annoying and stressful, but instead of obsessing over the uncomfortable feeling, you can use the time to unwind. Take a power nap, take deep breaths, reflect on the day, or do a guided meditation program so you don’t arrive at work or home stressed out.

As you can see, commuting is a necessary evil, but you can try to make the best of it. You will also find the ideas for a more productive, more relaxed commute to work clearly summarized on the following Infographic from Motor1.com: