Hello! Today, I'd like to talk about the commute, where many people spend their time throughout the day. Commuting by car, which is almost essential for modern people, can cause more stress than you might think. But don't worry! In this post, I'll introduce you to my own stress-relieving methods for car commutes. By having a calm and comfortable commute like this, you can significantly improve the quality of your daily life.
1. Setting an Early Departure Time
To reduce stress during your car commute, it's important to set an early departure time. Leaving before the busiest hours can minimize stress caused by traffic congestion. It's best to maintain a consistent departure time to accurately plan your estimated arrival time. I commute from Suwon to Seoul using the Gyeongbu Expressway, and I try to get on the expressway before 6:00 AM. If I do that, it takes about 30 minutes to pass Hannam Bridge. (Reaching Hannam Bridge around 6:30 AM)
2. Listening to Relaxing Music
Listening to relaxing music is one of the most effective ways to relieve stress. You can relieve stress by listening to your favorite music during your commute. Choosing emotional and healing music can calm your mind and relieve tension. Especially in the morning (or early morning), you might be driving while your body is still not fully awake. In such cases, energetic songs from 4th-generation idols can be good for boosting your mood. (Recently, I've been mainly listening to Jung Kook's Seven. I'm not an ARMY, but I just like the song. 🎶🎶
I wish I could drive on an uncrowded road like this at a convenient time.
3. Meditation and Breathing Exercises
You can relieve stress through simple meditation and deep breathing exercises while driving. Deep breathing helps calm the brain, relieving tension. Maintaining focus is crucial during your commute, so it's good to relieve tension through meditation and breathing exercises. Just a moment. You shouldn't close your eyes!!!! You must remember that you're driving. Imagining various difficult situations you might face today can increase stress, so avoid deep imagination.
This is not the situation. You're driving!!
4. Diversifying Routes
Taking the same route every day for your commute can lead to a feeling of confinement. If possible, consider driving a different route occasionally. Exploring new routes allows you to enjoy different scenery and create a more interesting commute. This experience seems to be a recommended method in neuroscience as well. It's a good way to relieve feelings of confinement, but I highly recommend it from a brain activation perspective as well. I mentioned earlier that I commute using the Gyeongbu Expressway, but depending on which section of the Gyeongbu Expressway I start from, I can experience many different routes. Or, there are actually many different ways to avoid the Gyeongbu Expressway, so I'm experiencing various routes. Of course, based on the travel time, it will probably be limited to one or two experiences within a reasonable range.
5. Attention Training
It's crucial to focus your attention while driving. However, it's easy to get drowsy as you become accustomed to driving. Through attention training, you should strive to always be aware of your surroundings and maintain full concentration on driving.
6. Utilizing Opportunities for Communication
Commuting is mostly a solitary experience, but occasionally interacting with other drivers or pedestrians can also help relieve stress. Take advantage of opportunities to communicate by exchanging polite greetings with courtesy. Usually, when you open your window to communicate, it seems like it's often due to a negative situation... Or you can try talking on the phone or talking to carpool members. However, it would be difficult to do this early in the morning when you're commuting to work. Lonely...
7. Singing Joyfully
If your commute is a solitary time, try singing joyfully to relieve stress occasionally. Singing can refresh your mind and uplift your mood. It's a great way to relieve both stress and boredom. And you might unexpectedly discover a talent for singing. Enlightenment 🎶🎶🎶 And your heart feels that way. If you sing joyfully, you will become joyful.
If it weren't for work, I'd be happy...
8. Listening to Informative Audiobooks
You can also engage in self-improvement during your commute by listening to audiobooks. Listening to audiobooks featuring self-help books, novels, or inspiring stories is a beneficial way to utilize your time. I mainly listen to audiobooks, and there are surprisingly many audiobooks available in Korea. I listen through Crema Club via Yes24. There were several reasons for my selection, but I think it was because I was interested in the field of economics at that time. Most services offer a free first-month policy, so I think you can experience them thoroughly before making a decision. Anyway, if you've made your choice and are listening to an audiobook while driving during your commute, it took quite a while to get used to it initially. You need to adapt to the mechanical voice, adjust the reading speed, and concentrate on both driving and the audio. Once you adapt and continue to use it, I believe it will significantly help your life, and I continue to try it with that conviction.
9. Stress-Relieving Exercise
Driving can make your body stiff and cause fatigue. When you get home, try stretching or doing yoga to loosen your body. Relieving your body and mind simultaneously can help prevent stress from accumulating. It's such an obvious thing that it's a bit disappointing, but still, if you stretch your body and sleep, it will help you a little when you drive the next day. Hmm...
10. Considering Carpooling
If driving alone during your commute feels monotonous and tiring, consider carpooling. Carpooling allows you to drive with others, chat, and create new connections. Your personality plays a significant role. Although I tend to score as an 'E' on MBTI tests, I value my alone time very much, so carpooling wasn't a consideration for me. However, I do believe that the benefits gained from sharing a mode of transportation are substantial. You can conserve resources for transportation, and multiple people can save time. However, the wall of carpooling is still high for me. Nonetheless, remember that, apart from the driver, the passengers in a carpool can relax and travel quickly, which is a definite advantage.
Just sleep through it. Wake up at the office/home. Like teleportation.
Conclusion
Car commutes can be a source of stress for many people. However, by referring to the personalized stress-relieving methods for car commutes that I introduced above, you can have a calm and comfortable commute. Make your commute a more enjoyable and beneficial time and improve the quality of your daily life!
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