A long commute to work is one of the most frustrating aspects of any job. Unfortunately, many Americans spend the equivalent of days in their cars just to get to their jobs. If this is you, you know that a long commute can truly make your job unbearable. Fortunately, there are ways that you can make your drive more comfortable. Here’s a look at three ways in which you can better survive a long commute to and from work.

Change Your Commute Hours

Traffic is very dependent on the time of days in which you drive, and if you’ve ever gotten behind the wheel of a car, you are probably painfully familiar with the concept of rush hour. While rush hours can change depending on location, rush hour itself is a pretty universal concept. Fortunately, there are ways you can avoid it. If possible, change your commute hours. See if you can shift your work hours to avoid rush hour, or try getting to your office a little earlier. It may mean more time at work but it will save you a ton of time in the car.

Make Your Car Comfortable

There are things you can do to make your car more comfortable, such as buying heating pads or car cushions that are designed to help your back and shoulders deal with the long commute. Furthermore, if you have the funds, a luxury car model may be an option. While luxury cars are obviously expensive, they can absolutely be worth the purchase if you spend a large amount of time in a car. It may not be the ideal way you want to spend money, but it can unquestionably be worth it.

Listen to Audiobooks

Audiobooks are becoming more popular of late, and commuting is a big part of the reason why. Listening to audiobooks can be a great way of totally absorbing yourself in a great story or non-fiction book while still making sure you are paying attention to the road. You can check some out from the library or even listen to them on your phone using certain apps. Many have found that listening to audiobooks while driving can be a completely commute-changing experience.

A long commute isn’t easy: It can make you less productive, hurt your mood and rob you of time with your family. However, you can make your commute much more comfortable, and the above three tips can be a great way of doing just that.

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