Driving is a huge part of our lives. Not only do many of us go on road trips throughout the year, most of us spend time in the car every single day driving to and from work, running errands, and taking the kids to and from activities.
All that time we spend in traffic really adds up. People in the San Francisco area spend over 100 hours a year stuck in traffic, while those in Houston spend 75 hours every year in traffic. All that time spent in the car costs time and money, costing each driver an extra $1,010 per year!
You may not be able to change how much time you spend in the car, but you can do something about how you use that time. If you find yourself sitting behind the wheel, make the most of your time with these tips.
Five Tips for Making the Most of Your Time on the Road
Listen to an eBook or Podcast
Wish you had more time to read? It’s not a good idea to take your eyes off the road so you can read a book, but you can listen to an eBook! It’s a great way to catch up on the classics or discover new favorites.
Podcasts are hugely popular today. They can be more fun to listen to than the radio because you can actually learn things when you listen to a podcast. Because they are so popular, there are many different podcasts to choose from, which mean there’s surely one out there that will appeal to your interests.
Learn a New Language
Wishing you had time to learn something new? Just because you don’t have enough time to take a class doesn’t mean you can’t learn a new skill! There are many different kinds of learning software out there, but language learning software is one of the best to do in the car. You can even find language learning resources for free on YouTube!
It is a good option for those who spend a lot of time on the road because much of the learning process involves listening to others speak the language, then repeating what they say. If you’re so inclined, you can continue your learning when you get home by completing activities and digital worksheets.
Keep an Audio Journal
Keeping a journal is a great way to work through your thoughts. It can help you release tension and stress, and reviewing journals can help you see just how far you’ve come.
Today, keeping a journal is easier than ever before. You no longer have to dedicate time putting pen to paper. Modern journaling can include videos, pictures, and audio—which is easier to do when you’re on the road.
What should you talk about in your audio journal? There are many topic choices that might interest you like:
- What happened at work
- Items that need to be added to your grocery list
- Start an audio gratitude journal
- Set daily, weekly, monthly, and lifetime goals
- Talk about something that inspires you
- Tell stories you want to share with your kids someday
Learn the Layout of Your City
Most of us take the same routes everywhere we go. It’s true that these routes are usually the fastest way to get to our destination, but it’s easy to space off, and before you know it, you made it back home and don’t really remember how you got there!
Take your normal route getting to work so you aren’t late, but if you have extra time, try taking a different route on your way home. You’ll exercise your brain, and you’ll learn more about the layout of the city you live in.
Use the Time to Relax
Many of us spend most of our day with other people. We work with others in the office, and when we come home, we have significant others and children to attend to. That leaves very little time to spend by ourselves, but so many of us spend hours each week alone in the car!
Make the most of your time by using it to relax and unwind by yourself. A few tips for relaxing while you’re in the car include using deep breathing techniques, releasing tension all over your body, and listening to meditative music.
In a perfect world, you could spend less time in the car and more time doing what you love, but that doesn’t mean you can’t maximize the time you spend in the car during your commute. With these tips, you just may look forward to the time you spend in the car!
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
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