The work commute sucks up a tremendous amount of time and energy and is a leading cause of stress. In the article, Commuting Takes its Toll, author Annette Schaefer writes, “Research from around the world is leading psychologists to conclude that the heightened stress that commuting puts on individuals and their families can easily overshadow the work and home gains they might realize.”
Nobody should live with stress like that, and yet our post-pandemic return to “normal” has most of us back out on the roads as we commute to and from work. So to support healthy drivers and safer roads, we’ve put together this list of seven things you can do to stay sane during your long commute.
Thanks to the advent of audiobooks and digital platforms such as Audible, Google Audiobooks, and Audiobooks.com, you can safely “read” a book while driving. Everyone loves to listen to a good story. When you dive into the realm of audiobooks, texts are often read by the authors, or a professional voiceover actor, which makes the story come to life.
Many of the clients our tow truck drivers pick up each day claim listening to audiobooks during their commute has “saved their life.” Audiobooks make the drive go so much faster. You may even find yourself looking forward to the commute!
Podcasts are produced around a wide range of subjects. If there’s something you like, are interested in, or want to learn, there’s a podcast for it. Use iTunes, GooglePlay, or Spotify and start searching for a podcast that interests you.
Not sure where you’d even start? Try looking up - and listening to - some of Edison Research’s Top 50 Most Listened to Podcasts…, which begins with:
Podcasts typically last for about 30 to 60 minutes, making them an easy way to navigate your drive in entertaining, digestible chunks.
Have you always wanted to learn Spanish, Mandarin, Tagalog, or Vietnamese? You’re in luck because those are some of the most commonly spoken languages in the Bay Area, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to practice. Are you more interested in learning French, German, Swahili, Italian, or Yiddish to honor your roots or feel comfortable on an upcoming business trip?
Most language classes focus on reading and writing, with a little conversation. That’s great if you’re planning on moving to a foreign country, you’re a linguist, or you plan to continue studying the language as an academic. But, the rest of us just need to know how to carry a conversation when traveling or speaking to neighbors. That’s where conversational language software comes in.
Check out audio language courses like LanguagePod101, Coffee Break Languages, or FluentU. Once you’ve downloaded your preferred option, pick a language and get fluent.
The more time you spend commuting, the more likely to are to need a tow truck at some point due to a car malfunction, flat tire, or a roadside emergency. We all know it’s a possibility, but most people aren’t prepared.
Review this Vehicle Maintenance Checklist to reduce your chances of a flat tire or breakdown, and then visit our post, 17 Emergency Roadside Kit Must-Haves. Preparedness reduces stress and worries more than you would imagine.
For many of us, the feeling of being stuck in traffic is tight, angry, and full of judgment and loathing for all those “other people” slowing us down. Turn that energy around and spend a little time giving gratitude for the things you have in life.
According to NPR, “There's a growing body of research on the benefits of gratitude. Studies have found that giving thanks and counting blessings can help people sleep better, lower stress, and improve interpersonal relationships. Earlier this year, a study found that keeping a gratitude journal decreased materialism and bolstered generosity...”
While you shouldn’t write and drive, the act of reciting what you’re grateful for (just three things is enough) can help you keep things in perspective. And, on a bad day, our staff has been known to cite things like, “drinkable water out of a faucet,” if that’s all they can come up in a fit of frustration.
Getting “hangry” (hungry + angry) puts you at risk for low blood sugar and a shorter patience leach, which can lead to an accident. Keeping a stash of healthy snacks on hand can help bide your time, keep you alert, and prevent “hanger-related” road rage.
Examples include:
It’s best if the snack can’t spill, can be eaten with one hand still on the wheel, and doesn’t require a fork, knife, or spoon.
The more you focus on the negative (being “stuck” in traffic), the more negative you’ll feel. Instead, this can be an excellent time to practice relaxation and mindfulness practices that help you let go of negative thoughts and feelings.
You may also want to surrender to the commute and begin to look at it as a time to yourself that allows you to unwind and focus on YOU!
The team at J&T Towing experiences our fair share of time stuck in Bay Area traffic, which is why we’ve become pros at staying sane during a long commute. Need a little roadside assistance? Contact us, 707-356-4613, and we’ll send someone out to you ASAP.
