Especially in major metropolitan areas like DC and Baltimore, a huge number of individuals end up living in suburbia and beyond for a number of reasons. Lower cost of living, more space, and better home values are just a few possible benefits. But the price these individuals pay in exchange can sometimes weigh heavily on their mind, instead of their wallet: commuting.
If you have a daily commute to work, then today we have something special for you – a few simple ways that you can make your commute more bearable, as well as keeping yourself and everyone else on the road safe.
Leave Earlier Than You Have To
One of the number one stress factors for a daily commute is the constant threat of being late to work. Yet somehow, you always seem to just barely make it on time. Well, consider trying something different – leave 10-15 minutes earlier than you normally would and see how that impacts your commute. Even a small change like that can eliminate stress from delays, since you have extra buffer time before you’ll end up being late.
Plus, a small change in the timing of your drive can seriously impact traffic conditions on the road – delays happen fast, so heading out ten minutes earlier might mean fewer cars on the road and thus fewer chances of getting stuck.
Wear Comfortable Shoes
Do you wear tight, circulation-squeezing dress shoes or narrow heels with huge stilettos to work? If your feet aren’t comfortable during your commute, it can make a big difference in your reaction time – especially if you take your foot off the gas/brake pedal and rest it on the floor to be more comfortable. Doing so can seriously reduce your reaction time if you need to suddenly brake or speed-up. Plus, spiky heels can slip off or break and get wedged beneath the pedals, which is a quick way to find yourself in trouble.
Instead of wearing your work shoes during your commute, consider a pair of comfortable sneakers for your drive and then change into your dress shoes when you arrive at your destination.
Avoid Any and All Distractions
Applying make-up, talking on a cell phone, fiddling with the radio… all of these actions distract you from paying attention to the most important part of your commute – driving safely. Make sure you leave plenty of time in the morning to get ready, so you don’t have to play with your hair or apply make-up in the car. Avoid talking on your cell phone – or if you have to, make sure the device is hands-free using Bluetooth headsets or synchronizing your device to your car.
And when it comes to the radio, pick a station and stick with it. Or try downloading a playlist or a podcast that helps energize you and boosts your mood in the morning. You’ll arrive to work safely and be more productive when you get there!
Don’t Drive Aggressively
Most importantly, recognize that arriving on time (or in some cases, less late) is never worth the hassle, frustration, and worse that can come along with getting in an accident. If you walked out of the door late, ring your boss to let them know and drive to work safely and calmly. After all, you’ll arrive a lot later if you get a speeding ticket or rear end someone during your commute.
