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Commuting is a part of life for people across the globe. Commutes may not be too difficult, but even the most affable person can periodically be affected by the monotony of commuting day in and day out.
According to data from the United States Census Bureau, the average person's commute is just over 27 minutes in each direction while driving solo. For those relying on public transportation to get to work, that number doubles to around 60 minutes each way. In the U.S., the locales with the longest commutes include New York City, Long Island, N.Y., Washington, D.C., and Newark. Commutes to large cities in Canada are roughly the same length as those in the U.S., with trips to work in Toronto, Ottawa-Gatineau, Abbotsford-Mission, and Oshawa taking anywhere from 26 to 34 minutes on average, indicates Statistics Canada. At a duration of 54 minutes per day, times five days a week, commuters are spending 4.5 hours getting to and from work each week. That adds up to about 234 hours a year, not excluding for vacations or other time away from work.
Commuters may aspire to make their commutes easier and more tolerable, and the following are some ways to do just that.
• Change your method of travel. Driving solo may be faster, but being behind the wheel in traffic can be stressful. Taking a bus or a train leaves that stress to someone else, which may make commuting more tolerable. Even though it may take longer, letting someone else do the driving enables you to sleep, catch up on emails, talk on the phone, read, or just enjoy some time for meditation and reflection.
• Listen to audio books. Whether you're driving or a passenger, learn something new through audiobooks or podcasts. Topics like leadership, advancement, personal finance, or even another language can expand skills and serve as a great way to use your commute wisely.
• Vary the route. Taking the same roads each day can be boring. Commuters tend to take the shortest routes, but those roads also may be the busiest. Driving a more circuitous route could take a little longer, but it may offer better scenery and less traffic.
• Establish a carpool. If you're a people person, you may enjoy sharing your commute with another individual or two. When carpooling, commutes can feature engaging conversation and everyone can take turns driving, which can make the trip less stressful.
• Consider a flex schedule. Some employers may enable you to change your hours so you do not need to commute during traditional rush hours. A 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. shift or an 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. schedule may help you avoid rush hour.
Commutes may never be the best part of a professional's day, but there are various ways to improve a trip to and from the office.