If you’re a busy parent, commuting can feel like a waste of time. It’s easy to feel frustrated when you’re stuck behind the wheel, waiting for rush hour traffic to die down.
Unfortunately, recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates show that the average American spends more time commuting than they did in the early 2000s. Their “Travel Time to Work in the United States” report found that the average one-way commute is 27.6 minutes, while 9.8% said they had a commute of over an hour.
Reclaiming the time you spend behind the wheel or on a bus is crucial for your mental health, well-being, and productivity. Getting something positive out of the commute can even improve your physical health, as you’re far less likely to feel stressed if you’ve spent the day listening to your favorite podcast or audiobook.
Commuting and Your Health
If you’re a busy parent, you probably resent the time you have to spend behind the wheel. There’s nothing you can do while focusing on the road, and unexpected traffic can easily derail your evening plans.
Surprisingly, however, commuting can be good for your health. Researchers find that a short commute of around 16 minutes gives you a chance to decompress and mentally transition from work to home. As a result, some remote workers are even utilizing fake commutes to replicate the mental switch they need to distinguish between home life and their work.
These findings show that commuting can be a valuable use of time if leveraged correctly. A great commute can help you feel refreshed and set you up for success as you transition from between the office and your home.
Journaling
If you live in a city and use public transport, your morning commute can be a great time to set your intentions for the day. A quick journal session is the perfect way to get more out of the bus ride or train journey and will keep you from doom-scrolling on social media.
If you’re new to journaling, start with a simple prompt like “How will you show compassion today?” or “Name 5 things you’re grateful for this morning.” These prompts are easy to engage with and may boost your mental well-being.
You can even use your morning journal to set professional goals for the day. This can bring intention to your daily work and help improve your performance over time. Just be sure to show self-compassion when journaling about work, as you’re not on the clock while commuting on public transport.
When riding home, consider journal entries that help you de-stress. De-stressing after work is particularly important as a parent, as you don’t want to bring professional baggage home with you. A quick journal entry about your love for your children or your dinner plans can help you refocus on being a positive, present parent for your kids.
Audiobooks
Audiobooks and commuting are a match made in heaven. You can zone out while listening to your favorite author and may find that non-fiction books add meaningful value to your life. However, you may struggle to get into audiobooks at first. This is entirely understandable, as it may be your first time engaging with the medium. Fortunately, you can learn to love audiobooks by:
- Mixing up the playback speed and consider listening to some books at 2x or 2.5x speed.
- Listening to a book that you’ve already read and loved. This will build enthusiasm and help you connect with the content.
- Investing in some well-fitting headphones or comfy earbuds.
- Listening to a book that’s popular amongst your co-workers so you can find common ground and talk about the plot together.
Don’t stick with an audiobook if you don’t connect with it. Instead, focus on finding a series that elevates your mental well-being and leaves you feeling refreshed when you step out of the car. If you’re looking for places to start, consider audiobook classics like:
- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, written and read by Maya Angelou
- The Fire Next Time, written by James Baldwin; read by Jesse L. Martin
- Just Kids, written and read by Patti Smith
These titles combine prolific prose with well-paced, engaging reading. They’re sure to suck you in and may even change your perspective on the world at large.
Eyes on the Road
Commuting with a purpose is a great way to reclaim some time and boost your mental health. However, distracted driving can lead to accidents and collisions on the road. There are three types of distracted driving that you need to be aware of when commuting:
- Cognitive: If your mind wanders behind the wheel, your risk of an accident increases. Keep your focus on the road at all times, even if it means tuning out your audiobook while navigating a tricky junction.
- Manual: Unless changing gear, your hands should never come off the wheel when driving. Manual distractions — like reaching for the radio volume — reduce your ability to navigate safely and put other road users at risk.
- Visual: You cannot afford to take your eyes off the road during your commute. Even a quick glance at the GPS can cut down your reaction time and spell disaster when driving.
Set yourself up for success by getting your podcast or audiobook ready before you hit the gas. Taking some time to set up your car cabin is an important form of self-care while commuting, as it shows you’re willing to slow down and enjoy the small pleasure of a podcast, audiobook, or voice-to-text journal.
Commuting with purpose can help you reclaim valuable time between work and home life.
As a busy parent, you can get more from the time you spend commuting by listening to compelling audiobooks or journaling. This can shift your mindset, boost your productivity, and help you become a more positive, present parent at home.
