How to stay sane on your early morning commute
An early morning commute can be your best friend or your worst enemy. The key to enjoying your travels to work is to make the most of your free time, whether that's getting an early start on the workday or taking some much needed time to relax.
According to Statistics Canada, 15.4 million Canadians commute to work every day and 74% of commuters drive a vehicle to work. The average time spent on a daily trip to the workplace is 25 minutes. So how can commuters make the most of their time, and keep their sanity during their early morning commute?
Five ways to maximize time during your early morning commute:
Listen to music
Being in a car, stuck in traffic isn't fun; listening to music can make the ride much better. Before you buckle up and leave home make sure you have good tunes to keep you company in the car. You can sing like no one is listening and belt it out at the top of your lungs to energize your body for a morning boost.
Carpool with friends
If you're not a morning person, the idea of being in a small space with other people may make you cringe. However, carpooling to work comes with several benefits. When you have multiple passengers in a vehicle you can take advantage of the carpool lane, which can help you get to work faster. Having other people in the car to talk to can also make time go by faster.
Prepare for the worst
Although you may have the best intentions, you just never know what life is going to send your way while travelling to work. Leaving a few minutes early can help you avoid peak traffic periods; just remember the earlier you arrive at work, the earlier you can leave at the end of the day. Always make sure your cell phone is charged so you can contact your workplace if you're delayed or running behind schedule. Anytime you get behind the wheel, double check that you have your car insurance and registration information handy. And when driving in winter, make sure you have an emergency kitready, just in case.
Start your workday
According to Business Insider, a car ride is the perfect time to check voice messages. "Your morning commute is a great time to get a head start on your workday. Attending to messages early in the morning will set you up for a productive day. However, the experts say you shouldn’t spend your entire commute doing work."
Don't drink too much
If you're like many Canadians you probably like to start your day with a hot beverage or refreshing glass of juice. However, liquids are not your friend when it comes to an early morning commute. There is nothing worse than being stuck in a car in the middle of the road and wanting to desperately find a bathroom. The odds are there will be no place to go - literally. So feel free to sip beverages to get your day started, but hold off on the big gulp until you get to work.