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Before COVID-19, the average American spent 26 minutes commuting to work every day — which totals up to 9 full days each calendar year. Now that workers are heading back to the office, commuter traffic is back on roadways across the country, but that doesn’t mean you have to lose all of your commute time traveling. Instead, find productive ways to multitask and wake your brain up on the ride. 

Not sure where to begin? We’ve compiled a list of productive things you can do while commuting below. 

1) Subscribe to a business podcast 

You can learn on the go with an industry-specific podcast, or one dedicated to personal development. Whether you hop on the subway or your own car, you can listen to podcasts easily as you travel. Spend time discovering different podcasts and noting their length and how often new episodes are released to cut down on frustration and ensure your phone is full of listening content each week. 

2) Learn a new language

Mastering a new language not only looks great on your resume, it also improves your memory and decision-making skills. Since this is a time-intensive task, it’s a great way to spend your commute. There are tons of language apps that make practicing words and conversations easier than ever. Check out Duolingo, Memrise, or Babel, to name a few. 

3) Grow your conversation skills 

Traveling to work on public transit? Don’t be afraid to flex your conversation skills with the people around you (while maintaining a safe distance, of course)! Talking to others early in the morning will help wake you up so you aren’t dragging at the office. Plus, having the confidence to make connections with strangers can lead to new opportunities. 

4) Practice gratitude

Adopting a gratitude practice can increase your happiness by 25%. Start by taking mental notes of things you’re grateful for during your morning and evening commutes. Turn tricky work situations into learning opportunities just by shifting your perspective, and replay your favorite moment of the day over again in your head. When you get home, jot down your gratitude in a journal so you can revisit the memories at a later date. 

5) Calm your mind with meditation 

Did you know that 8 in 10 Americans experience feelings and expressions of road rage at least once a month? Traffic can lead to heightened frustration on the road, making your commute feel miserable and even dangerous. To stay calm behind the wheel, practice mindfulness using meditation apps or deep breathing exercises. These will also refocus your wandering mind and boost your mood. 

For more tips on how to stay calm behind the wheel on your daily commute, check out this infographic from Dolman Law below. 

Infographic download link (if above code doesn’t work)