The most efficient commute is no commute at all, but unfortunately that is not the reality for most people. In fact, a 2012 Ipsos study found that while telecommuting is on the rise, more than 90% of global employees have to physically go into work at least some of the time.
In the U.S., the average commute is 25 minutes one way (2011 Census Report). That means we have a solid 50 minutes a day worth of time to work with – time I believe is often wasted.
If you commute every day, that’s more than 4 hours a week and more than 2 full work days a month. The best part about it is it’s “free” time – you don’t have to sacrifice any other activities, and a few small habits can yield great results in your overall wellbeing.
Here are three activities you can do to utilize your commute time effectively, whether you’re driving yourself or taking public transportation.
Table of Contents
Breathe
You don’t need to go to a yoga studio to do breathing exercises, and proper breathing has been linked to a number of physical and mental benefits.
Breathing deeply increases oxygen intake, which aids your immune system, improves brain function, and may even help burn excess fat.
Deep, slow breaths help expel toxins from your body and release tension.
It can be a meditative exercise as well; to help clear your mind and get you ready to face the day, or relax on the way home.
So what do you do?
- Inhale slowly through your nose. Try and inhale for 5 seconds. Feel your stomach and chest expand.
- Hold for 3 seconds at full capacity.
- Exhale slowly while counting to 5. Feels good, doesn’t it?
- Repeat for 5-10 minutes during both your morning and evening commute.
Work the Core
Just because you’re sitting on a bus or behind the wheel of a car doesn’t mean you can’t exercise.
What you’ll do is squeeze your stomach muscles and obliques and hold them in a contracted position. Hold this “flex” for a predetermined amount of time, say until the clock changes to the next minute, or for the duration of one song on the radio.
Then take the next minute or song off, and repeat.
A strong core is critical to your physical health and general athleticism, and this is a great way to work on your strength without going to the gym. The trick is you have to provide all the resistance in this exercise, so it all depends on how hard you squeeze and how long you hold it.
Bonus points if you can do this on the subway without looking constipated!
Learn
The late great Zig Ziglar called drive time “Automobile University” for a reason. You can choose to fill your ears with dozens of different entertainment options, but no amount of music or talk radio will do much to advance your goals.
Instead, download a podcast from iTunes. There are hundreds of amazing free shows. Just search any topic you’re interested in (productivity, for example) and prepare to have your world rocked.
Or, check out the audio books section at your local library website and download that book you’ve been meaning to read for the last 2 years.
Your commute time is the perfect opportunity to further your informal, pragmatic education.
Bringing It All Together
Let’s end the days of brainless autopilot commutes.
Let’s turn this necessary evil into a conscious time of self-awareness, a time to strengthen our bodies and our minds.