8 Things to Do When Stuck in Traffic

This article provides eight activities to remain productive when stuck in traffic. Specifically, this article includes tasks such as making important phone calls, working on time management plans, learning a language or skill as well as personal pursuits like cleaning the car and resting. In addition, this article provides a statistical basis for remaining productive while in traffic jams.

Being stuck in traffic ranks high among the worst experiences a driver or passenger can experience. You might be familiar with 20-minute stretches in which your vehicle doesn't seem to move. Considering the time you spend each day stuck in traffic, it's no wonder why you dread it.

Even the most patient person is tested by traffic. Unfortunately. it looks like traffic jams will be a part of your daily routine if you continue living in the city. To help you get through these stressful situations, here are a number of things you can do while stuck in traffic to prevent boredom, anger, and stress.

Sing

Music is one of the most effective ways to help you forget your stressors. You can even pretend that you're making a music video in the car.

Make Phone Calls

If you're a busy person, one way to make your time in traffic productive is to catch up on work or personal phone calls. Your busy schedule might prevent you from regularly accepting important phone calls, so now is the perfect time to call people back. If you're far from family and friends, time stuck in traffic is a wonderful opportunity to catch up with them. Talking to people close to you would surely brighten your day. Just make sure to skip texting! The last thing you want is for cops to catch you.

Take a Nap

If you're commuting, one of the best ways to spend your time in traffic is to take a refreshing power nap. By doing this, you are giving yourself time to rest more. Just be careful not to miss your stop!

Make Plans

Although sitting in a traffic jam fosters thoughts of anger, you can think of this time from a different perspective! Being stuck in traffic is the perfect time to brainstorm your schedule for the upcoming week or month. While stuck in traffic, try to make a to-do list of things that you should do or accomplish. You can even throw in a couple of long-term goals!

Eat

Considering how long traffic jams last, getting hungry is unavoidable. If you experience hunger pangs, don't worry because you can always curve it by eating in your car. Make sure to always have snacks with you. However, wait until the traffic is stagnant before you pick up a donut just to be safe.

Listen to a Podcast or Audiobook

Stuck in traffic but still want to catch up on your favorite book or show? Why don't you try listening to a podcast? Not only will this educational and entertaining use of time get your mind off the traffic, but it would also do wonders for your imagination. Podcasts and audiobooks are a great way to engage your mind because it provides new insights about various topics.

Learn a New Language

Learning a foreign language is challenging, but if you have time to kill, why not try it? Thankfully, you don't have to enroll yourself in an expensive foreign language class to learn a new language. All you need to do is to download audio guides or language apps that you can always put on when you have idle time in traffic.

Clean Your Car

A great car is not only clean from the outside, but also from the inside. You can make your waiting time more productive if you will unclutter your car and rearrange the things that you regularly put inside.