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ergonomic tips
Seven Survival Tips for Your Commute
No Time For Excercise Excuses
Beat Workday Stress
Work Smart to Ensure Maximum Comfort
Feel Healthier at Work
Seven Survival Tips for Your Commute
Pair urban sprawl with the revitalization of
the city center and you get many people forced to live far away
from where they work. If you drive, that can mean lots of idle
time gritting your teeth and watching brake lights in front
of you, right? Well, it doesn't have to. Use some of these easy
tips to transform your commute from a frustrating waste to productive
"me time."
1. Become a news buff.
Instead of having time to linger with your favorite newspaper
or morning news show over breakfast, you have to tackle a dizzying
drive. That doesn't mean you have to forego being able to ace
a current events quiz. Tune your radio dial to all-news or current
event stations, like National Public Radio, and soak up the
knowledge.
2. Learn a new language.
If you're planning a trip why not brush up on the local language
so you can impress the natives? Even if you're not crossing
any borders, your commuting time gives you an opportunity to
listen to those fun language tapes. And let's face it, the next
time someone cuts you off, repeating hola is probably a lot
better for your stress level than yelling other choice phrases.
3. Catch up on the bestseller list.
Even if you're sitting behind the wheel of a car, you can still
get some quality reading done with the help of audio books.
Most libraries and bookstores stock a whole slew of both educational
and just plain fun titles.
4. Awaken your inner rock star.
Is there any better way to combat the stress of the stop and
go game than singing? Cue up your favorite carefree music and
sing loud. Who knows, you may even get the people in the next
car to applaud your performance-or join in.
5. Get in a positive state of mind.
Whether you choose to speak them aloud or simply think about
them, your drive time is the perfect chance to prepare yourself
for the day with positive affirmations. When there's another
accident and it spikes your travel time to the triple digits,
don't lose your cool. Just keep repeating, "I can get through
this. I can get through this."
6. Create a mental to-do list.
If you have a million things to do today (and who doesn't?)
take your to-do list on the road. You can mentally plan out
your day even though you're breathing in exhaust fumes.
7. Trim your waistline.
You can do some simple abdominal work even while you're sitting
in your car. First, be sure that you are sitting up straight
and that your hands are at ten and two on the steering wheel.
Then press the small of your back into the seat while you exhale.
Hold for four counts and release. Repeat for eight sets. If
you're doing this exercise correctly, you should feel it in
your abs and lower back.
While the time you spend commuting doesn't have
to be wasted, it's very important that you are always conscious
of your driving and practice all of the above tips with extreme
caution and at your own risk.
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