Boring work commute? Locals weigh in on how they pass the time
Did you know Americans spend more than 100 hours a year commuting to work? Or that the average driving time to work, one-way is about 24 minutes?
I also read somewhere that people who commute to work by car, train or bus are more likely to have health worries than active commuters who walk or cycle. This is supposedly due to people who have a lot of demands and very little control over how they meet those demands (such as being late because of traffic or home-life demands.) That can certainly put someone at a higher risk for negative health effects.
My work commute is 35 minutes (in the car) one way. I really don't mind the drive. It doesn’t stress me out. The key (I think) is to try and make the work commute productive and as fun as you can. I listen to educational podcasts and a lot of novels on CD or MP3. I don’t know what I would do without them. I can unwind from the work day, learn something new or completely break away from reality for a moment and listen to a novel or fictional story.
Wherever you live and however you get to work, if your regular routine isn't cutting it, here are a few fresh ideas from local commuters:
“I talk to my mom every morning. Using Bluetooth of course. I also listen to podcasts on the way home.”
Steve Knox, buyer, commutes an hour and 10 minutes round trip daily.
“I listen to business books on the drive to Madison or elsewhere. On the way home, I listen to fun, fiction books. Podcasts also work if I remember to update my iTouch. Since I can work anywhere and seem to be mobile most often, I do 29,000 business miles each year in my Prius. Generally, I am going to Madison, Milwaukee, Lacrosse, Wausau or Chicago. I take more phone calls in my car than anything else - of course using Bluetooth.”
Wendy Snyder Soucie, Wendy Soucie Consulting
“While commuting [up to two and a half hours a day, driving or flying], only a couple of times per week, I listen to podcasts, mostly. Many of which are current events or NPR-related. I like: This American Life, Radio Lab and 60 minutes.”
Rachel Hill Smith, account principle, MedSeek
“I have a tendency to rock out! I love music. I play it really loud in my car. It helps me break away from the work day and have a moment to myself. I also like to travel to work with comfortable clothes, then change in to work attire.”
Anonymous worker in Janesville
Do you have a commuting tip? Join the conversation.
Trish Skram is a communications professional who works at Mercy Health System in Janesville and writes about Janesville's professional community. Trish is a community blogger and is not a part of The Gazette staff. Her opinion is not necessarily that of the The Gazette staff or management.
Nov 29, 2011 at 10:36 p.m.
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I like to listen to the traffic reports on WGN radio when driving to work. I'm down to a 3 minute drive these days - one stop sign and one traffic light. My last job took 5 whole minutes to get to work.
Nov 29, 2011 at 5:43 p.m.
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"except between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's relaxing and let's me concentrate on my driving."
Why not - constant XMAS music ALREADY- please.
Nov 29, 2011 at 3:23 p.m.
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35 minute commute as well. I just listen to lite 107.3, except between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's relaxing and let's me concentrate on my driving. The interstate gets nutso at times.
Nov 29, 2011 at 3:15 p.m.
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For all the years I commuted 40+ minutes each way, it would be Public Radio we'd listen to. Unless it was snowing or stormy out -- then I'd switch to an oldies station for 2 reasons, 1) it was kind of mindless so I could concentrate on the drive, 2) but I knew all the songs so I could get rid of nervous energy singing along. I did hit a turkey once, saw plenty of deer and lots of other critters including a badger (the furry kind browsing alongside the road)!
Nov 29, 2011 at 11:50 a.m.
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WCLO of course in the AM.
Sirius in the PM.
I have seen fox,pheasant, terrible wrecks, hawks, beautiful sunsets, 4x4 driving like idiots only to be stuck in a snow bank on other side of the road in a bridge, drunk drivers,avoided idiots many times,deer,and all sorts of things.
Now back home under 10 minutes from work wheewch. I did this for 10 years. That was enough.
Drive safe all.
Always be watching for anything to happen is my tip. I avoided a lot of things in 10 years. No contact with anybody luckily.
Nov 29, 2011 at 9:45 a.m.
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I traveled 100 miles a day round trip for fourteen years, never had a mishap.That's because I focused on the task at hand. Being a Driver Education teacher I knew what I was suppose to do,drive defensively. People like Sigma were usually the ones I would see in the ditch !
Nov 29, 2011 at 9:11 a.m.
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Speeding makes it go by faster, that and a really fast car. You see people getting econobox cars and driving slow to save gas. All that time of boredom...why? I'd pay another dollar a gallon for gas if I could drive faster. I have fun commuting to work...even though it only takes 10 minutes.
Nov 29, 2011 at 9:03 a.m.
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My commute is 90 miles round trip. A lot of people think I'm nuts, but 1) I'm happy to have a very good job, 2) I get some compensation from my employer for travel & 3) I like the alone time. I've been doing it so long that it's become my time to be alone with my thoughts, rock out in the car, listen to the news or whatever.
Nov 29, 2011 at 6:54 a.m.
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Beautiful twenty-five minute commute entirely in the mountains along the Colorado River, but because I must keep my eyes on the road I listen to 89.5 Nevada Public Radio. Can't beat beauty and truth!
Nov 29, 2011 at 1:25 a.m.
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3rd shift, hour and 15 minutes each way. Switch between satellite radio, sports podcasts, Pandora, and my own MP3's. Try to switch things up, including the roads used, to beat the monotony.
Nov 28, 2011 at 10:40 p.m.
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For six years I commuted 60+ miles each way (to Milwaukee's East Side). Since this period began before iPods and MP3s, I have a very large collection of books on tape/cd. If it wasn't for some great unabridged works, NPR, and the occasional music, I would have lost my mind.
The real need for focus comes during the winter. Driving to and from in the dark meant finding books that forced your mind to work. Mysteries, thrillers, and folks like Tom Clancy. In the summer, I would tackle business topics that might be dryer and not as riveting, but at least the sun was out.
If you're facing a long haul, find topics or generes you've never considered. Use the chance to expand your taste and try different interest. You'll find yourself looking forward to the drive rather than dreading it.
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