I have never been one of those people who love driving and finds long drives relaxing. Nope! Not me at all. All four years of college I went to a university over three hours away from home. I have definitely had my fair share of driving.
Now that I’m graduated, I still haven’t quite escaped the long driving thing. Although it’s not three hours I still do commute to work every day. Thankfully my office is only about thirty minutes from my house, but add Houston traffic into that mix and we tack on an extra fifteen minutes. So not fun.
I have found a few ways to make commuting suck less. Whether you’re going to work, or even school these tips should help you feel a bit happier during your drive!
Listen to a podcast. There’s so many on iTunes and Spotify you can download straight to your phone. I love Sophia Amoruso’s Girl Boss radio podcast on Spotify!
Listen to calming music. There’s so many great playlists on Spotify! Turn it on in the background and try to relax on your otherwise hectic commute.
Use Waze. This app is a life, and time saver! It will direct you to the quickest route, which will sometimes make your commute shorter!
Related: 20 Self-Care Activities To Implement
Bring a snack. This could totally be a Jamie thing, but something about having pretzels or candy to snack on during my way to work makes me happier.
Download a brand new album and jam out. Find a brand new album you have never listened to, and spend your commute listening to all new songs.
Be productive. Something about wasting thirty minutes in the car really bugs me. I tend to use this time to make a to-do list, or start mentally planning out blog posts.
Carpool if you can. Driving alone can be super boring, especially if it’s a long drive. Grab a friend who works nearby and plan a schedule! This would be a great way to save on gas too!
Spray fresh scents. Keep your car clean, and smelling nice! Sitting in a dirty car on a long drive will make you feel antsy. If you like essentials oils, check out this car oil diffuser!
These are great ideas! I love podcasts! xo
This is a great idea! I especially love the album one because I only have a CD player in my car and no way to put in an aux cord!
Great tips! Commuting is one of my least favorite things ever, but listening to music definitely makes it better.
Podcasts were one of my favorite ways to make my commute less stressful. Now I don’t have much of a commute since I work from home but podcasts are still a staple.
Author
Working from home is the dream! Thanks for reading Jenny!
These are great tips! since my commute is from my bed to my desk i dont really get to take advantage of these! But sometimes i wish i had a bigger commute so i would actually listen to podcasts
Author
Well we can switch commutes any day! I would love to get to work from home- that is the end goal! Maybe try listening to podcasts while you’re getting ready, I do that too on the weekends when I’m in less of a hurry!
Lol you are giving me wayyyy to much credit Jamie! Getting ready consists of putting on pants ?
What a great list! I never thought of listening to podcasts, I will try this!
Author
Podcasts are the best! They really make the time go by so much quicker!
Dying to read that book! I need to get into podcasts too x
Author
I still have yet to make time to sit down and read it- definitely on the to-do list!
Great tips! Listening to podcasts during a commute is a must.
Alix | http://www.apintsizedlifeblog.com
Author
Podcasts are really the best, and I love how many there are to choose from!
Podcasts are God send. I haven’t even thought about listening to a podcast radio on Spotify. Thanks for these awesome tips! xoxo
Author
Yes check out Spotify podcasts! They have so many! I discovered them a few months ago, and it was life changing!
I love these tips! I recently discovered the Waze app, and I’m obsessed! It’s been SO helpful! Loved this post, girl!
xoxo,
Amy
http://www.styleandsequins.com
Author
Isn’t it so helpful? It’s a commuters dream!
Cant even sit in my car without the radio on lol. I also love listening to podcast in the car.
Author
I always have to have some noise on during any time in the car, whether it’s just to Target or to work! Silence while driving makes the time just inch by.
These are all amazing tips! I hate my commute to work too and I only work 12 minutes from my job but with Houston traffic it makes it 25!
Author
Houston traffic is actually the worst! It always takes me forever to get home.
Haha, I love driving so I don’t mind a commute. I do always need to jam out to some music though!
-Anna | http://www.fivefootandfabulous.com
Author
I wish I were more like you Anna! I think I have just spent way too many weekends in the car for 6+ hours, so I am not a big fan!
Great tips! Up until a month ago I had the same commute, I totally fell your pain. I love podcasts and audiobooks, and love that you included having your car smell nice, I need to check out that cat diffuser!
Xo Jannine | http://www.happystylishfit.com
Author
The car diffuser is such a great invention! Having lavender essential oil would be so calming in the car!
YES to this post! Such great tips! Mental preparation and snacks are definitely a must for me! Thanks for sharing girl.
xo, Roselyn
http://www.thestylelynnlife.com
Author
I am always snacking in the car, it has become such a routine habit!
This is such a good post! I don’t commute any more, but I am definitely going to save this for when I do have to drive long distances.
Victoria Schneider | http://www.thesoutherntrunk.com
Author
Yes even for long roadtrips, or even a short trip to Target!
I should probably listen to calming music in the car, haha. I’m a spitfire in the car…when people around me are being terrible drivers!
Author
I am the absolute same way girlfriend! I do not handle driving well, ha!
I ALWAYS listen to podcasts on commutes, there are SO many to choose from and I feel like I am learning something instead of complaining about traffic! IT makes my day 10000xs better too! Sometimes I pick a funny one and laugh or I pick one to learn something new! I love it, great post <3
Courtney Bentley || http://www.courtneyvioletbentley.com
Author
I am the same way! I feel like it’s not a complete waste of my time, or day if I am listening to a podcast! Spotify has a lot of great comedy ones that make the time go by really fast and honestly I forget I’m even driving!
I hate driving long distances too! Listening to podcasts definitely helps. Love Sophia Amoruso’s podcast. So good! Plus I totally need that car diffuser.
Xoxo Amber
Author
Her podcast is the best! It makes the time go by fast, and I love listening to all of her guests and just learning about her progress with Nasty Gal.