Three Ways to Make the Best of Your Commute

Okay, we admit it. Sometimes the trip to and from the office isn't exactly a walk in the park. Whether you're stuck in traffic on a highway or crammed among strangers on a ridiculously crowded train, it's a necessity and part of the package. Well, according to this piece on U.S. News & World Report, there are a few ways to actually enjoy your commute and make the best of it. 1. Accept the reality. Instead of fighting your commute and working against it, simply accept it is what it is. Jonathan S. Kaplan, clinical psychologist and author of Urban Mindfulness: Cultivating Peace, Presence, and Purpose in the Middle of It All, told the site: "There's nothing kind of inherently stressful about being seated … what makes it difficult is that we don't want to be there." In addition, a negative attitude will only spiral into more negativity. He pointed out, "The more you don't want to be there, the worse it will be." 2. Productivity over aimlessness. Instead of feeling like commuting time is useless, if you're able to swing it, make use of the time by listening to a podcast or reading a book. And if you're behind the wheel of a car, you can always listen to an audiobook. 3. Shake it off at work. Even if your morning commute was less than stellar and you perhaps had a run in with a not-so-friendly fellow commuter, you'll need to let it go. Redford Williams, director of the Behavioral Medicine Research Center at Duke University, told U.S. News, "The more stressful your commute, the less efficient and productive you're going to be. And hey, if your office has a gym, you may want to consider working it out before heading to your desk. He added, "If your work site has a gym, then go on the treadmill for 20 minutes...and that will diffuse the stress."

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Three Ways to Make the Best of Your Commute

Vicki Salemi

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Vicki Salemi