Looking To Turn Gridlock Into Quality Time?
We all know that Traffic is the worst but sitting there fuming won't make those cars move any faster. So, instead of letting road rage take over, you should try to make the most of your precious time—even if it seems like you can't. Even though you may think that sitting in traffic is just a complete time sink, there are actually some pretty fun and useful ways to pass the time. So let's look at 20 interesting things to do when you’re stuck in traffic.
1. Create Your Perfect Playlist
Build yourself an epic traffic playlist that matches your vibe. The right song can flip your mood. Pick some energetic beats for the morning commute (think "Walking on Sunshine") and compile chill tracks (like some Lo-fi) for the evenings.
2. Learn Some New Words
Imagine pulling up to your next family gathering and surprising everyone with some cool French words. Apps like Duolingo make it very easy to learn a new language. Alternatively, just learn a few basic Italian phrases during your commute and order gelato like a pro.
3. Perfect Your Posture
Your car seat isn't just for slouching. It’s also a good place to check your posture, especially when you're stopped. Are your shoulders tense? Is your lower back supported? Watch some videos, make small adjustments, and see the difference in how you feel after a long commute.
4. Talk To Your Loved Ones
An hour-long traffic jam is also the perfect time to finally catch up with your parents, friends, or someone special (hands-free, of course!). You can also schedule these calls ahead, and suddenly, you might find yourself looking forward to slow traffic.
5. Listen To Fiction
Getting lost in a great story makes time fly—and when you’re in a four-wheeler, audiobooks can help. Start with something gripping or mind-bending. An entire Stephen King novel during one particularly brutal week of traffic should do the trick.
6. Play Those Traffic Games
You can also challenge yourself (and your kids) with a simple mental game. Pick a color and count how many cars you see in that shade. Or play the license plate game—try making words from the letters you see. It's surprisingly addictive and makes time zoom by.
7. Pack Smart Snacks
Nobody makes good decisions when they're hangry in traffic. So, don’t forget to keep some easy, non-messy snacks in your car. Think about trail mixes, smoothies, or fruits. Just skip anything that could melt or give you enough bloating to make the ride worse.
8. Plan Your Route Better
Also, plan about how you can avoid this traffic. There are apps like Waze where you can check traffic before heading out. Then, keep a backup route ready. This way, you might end up saving some time by taking a little detour, which is always better than weird stares and crazy horns.
9. Check The Car For Maintenance
Do you know what each and every dashboard symbol means? Use those standstill moments to finally figure them out. Check your tire pressure display, fuel efficiency, or any mysterious warning light you've been seeing. Your mechanic will be impressed with your newfound knowledge.
10. Keep A Comfort Kit
This would be your traffic survival pack, where you can keep your favorite soothing essentials. For example, water bottles, mints, fidget toys, books, calming oils, hand cream, and whatnot. When you keep your soothing items close, those endless waits can turn into tiny self-care moments.
11. Play The Story Game
If you’re traveling with someone, you can make up wild backstories for the drivers and passengers around you. See that guy in the red convertible? What’s his story? Maybe that person nervously checking their phone just realized that the spicy text they sent a few minutes ago actually went to the family group chat.
12. Study Your Industry
Along with all the fun and games, you can also turn your car into a mobile classroom. Listen to your industry’s podcasts. It can keep you ahead of the game. Who knows when you will get hit by a major trend in your field and end up impressing your boss the next day?
13. Practice Positivity
Okay, this might sound cheesy, but it works. When you're stuck, list three good things about your day. Maybe you had an amazing breakfast, or your hair is looking fantastic. Focus on that instead of the brake lights ahead. You’ll feel much better, and your mind will shift to the good things in life.
14. Coordinate Your Day
Let your car become your command center when it’s standing still. Use voice commands to check the calendar, set reminders, or plan dinner. "Hey Siri, remind me to pick up dog food" is way better than forgetting for the third time.
15. Save Your Ideas
Mind tends to think a lot when you’re stuck somewhere, and your phone's voice memo feature can become your new best friend in this situation. Instead of letting brilliant ideas slip away, hit the record button and brain-dump everything. It's like having a personal assistant who forgets nothing.
16. Practice Mindfulness
You can also use this time as an opportunity for mindfulness practice, which helps ease stress and frustration. Notice your surroundings without judgment—the play of sunlight on buildings, the changing sky, or even the rhythm of traffic lights. This can turn the wait into a moment of peace.
17. Plan a Vacation
We all have those destinations that somehow get eaten up by "next time." If you want to map out that getaway, use voice commands to do it now. "Hey Siri, what's the best time to visit Hawaii?" This might be the first step toward actually going. When you know there's an adventure on the horizon, it can make the gridlock a little more bearable.
18. Try Box Breathing Like The Pros
Navy SEALs swear by this technique to stay cool under pressure, and it works like magic in traffic, too. Breathe in for 4 counts, then hold for 4, out for 4, and hold for 4. Next thing you know, that guy who cut you off doesn't seem worth the spike in blood pressure.
19. Master The Art of Car Karaoke
Your car can become the ultimate private concert venue. Belt out those high notes, perfect your power ballads, and bring out your inner rock star. The best part is that the people around you can't hear you (just don't forget they can see you during your drum solos).
20. Enjoy The Radio
Hear what the RJ has to say because sometimes they are relatable, and other times, they might just give you a traffic update. You can even make that fun by trying to guess how long that "20-minute delay" will actually take. Then, give the station a call.
