Commuting sucks. Especially in traffic. But you can survive your work commute (literally and figuratively).
A lot of people are really bad at driving. And the USA Today reports that the average American’s round-trip commute is about 52 minutes per day. That’s a lot of time to spend around terrible drivers. Commuting in heavy traffic when you are running late for your job can be heinous. Don’t let it get the best of you. These five suggestions for surviving your work commute are essential to making sure you are starting or ending your work day on a good note.
1. Stop Road Raging
Get a life, seriously. You need to realize you abide by a social and ethical code when you get behind the wheel. Your car is deadly, treat it as so! Treat everyone you drive around as if they are your mother or your friend – Picture a million little versions of your mother zooming by. You expect people to drive carefully around them, don’t you? The person you are screaming at, or tailgating because you are pissy, has someone who loves them very much (even if they are a bad driver). There are grandmas, babies, and animals in these cars, too. Stop it.
2. Don’t Drive Exhausted
Wake-up earlier so you can stop driving while you are half asleep. Being a sleepy-head on the road contributes to excessive annoyance, road rage and accidents. Get your zzz’s and be alert!
3. Work Remote
Ask your employer if they’d consider letting you turn your current job into a location independent job, and save yourself the headache, stress and gas all together!
4. Listen to Britney Spears and Beethoven
Your brain is easily influenced by music. According to a survey conducted by the BBC, rock music makes you rage while jazz music causes you to get more tickets. The survey found that pop and classical music contributed to lower levels of stress at the wheel, so you are hereby allowed to feel way less guilty about your hidden obsession with boy bands from your childhood.
5. Be Polite
Practicing kindness goes a long way as far as dealing with stress levels. You are completely allowed to feel good about yourself for letting someone in who needs to get over, or slowing down to make sure you aren’t accidentally tail gating someone. Remember, just because you are isolated in your car doesn’t mean you aren’t in public. Practice kindness and good etiquette, especially if you’ve got kids in the car.
If you still have a job that requires a commute, what are your tips to survive your work commute, staying cool and not losing it on the road?
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Hahaha! Listen to Britney Spears. I like it – but you’re obviously dating yourself. 🙂 Great list and thanks for another awesome read.