Listen to podcasts or audiobooks

So, you have been looking for some time to listen to that thrilling crime podcast everyone at work has been talking about, but can’t really justify spending an hour just tuned into your ear buds. Well, this could be the perfect time.

Not only is the commute the best time to keep up with important tech, business and international news events, it is also the best time to thrill to your favorite author’s work and enjoy motivational listening on your way to the trenches. No matter your niche or interest there is an appropriate podcast for it.

The best part, you can sit back, shut your eyes and lose yourself in the moment.

Write, draw or colour

Who said colouring is just for kids, did we all go colour-blind at some point? It is not likely as science has found that colouring is just as soothing and therapeutic for adults as it is for small children.

Best of all in this modern day and age there are more options than ever to engage in this fun and relaxing activity. You can colour on an app, or carry along your favourite colouring book. This is a great way to jog your creativity and ingenuity for the day ahead. Furthermore, you can focus on the pleasant challenge of keeping within the lines.

Or, you can take this time to allow your thoughts to flourish into brilliant reflections that can be noted in your journal or diary. Simply doodling and drawing can be fun in itself.

Get smarter

Why not take this time to learn something new?

We are not saying that this would be a good time to press toward that Ph.D. in molecular biology, but there is plenty you can do to begin training the mind without even breaking a mental sweat.

For example, you can find a large selection of academic apps available. These make learning fun with intuitive interfaces, objectives and games that tease the brain and increase knowledge. Look for the many numbers and word games that can increase logical/mathematical and linguistic intelligence. Or simply broaden your horizons by listening to Podcasts on a plethora of studies and sciences.

Of course, if you are really looking to squeeze every drop of value from your time, consider signing up for an online certification. Many of these have texts, videos, exercises and other course options that can be made available to your very mobile device. This makes learning fast, easy and intuitive.

You will be able to gain skills, without sacrificing free time, what could be better than that.

Plan your day

It can be a hard call to spend your last few minutes of your free time focusing on your upcoming day, but this can actually be your key to getting ahead of the game and an edge on the competition. You can take this time to perform all the preliminary tasks you need to do to get ahead of your day, like checking emails, setting objectives and highlighting your day’s priority.

Just don’t get yourself all tense before work by doing too much. By throwing yourself full force into your work early in the day you can suffer burnout and fatigue earlier in the day as well.

Actually switch off

Not feeling the full measure of strength, energy and inspiration in the early hours of your day? No problem. You do not have to tax your mind with brain teasers, higher learning or anything at all if you don’t feel like it.

Actually, if you don’t feel your mental capacities are fully warmed up yet, you can take some time to disconnect from it all and relax while you make your way to your destination.

So, you could take this time to read a good book, play a mobile game of nothing but senseless cyber-violence or whimsical adventure. Play legal online blackjack. Watch a good movie or the next episode of your favourite series on Netflix, if you so choose.

Finally, you could just avoid all eye-contact, fall inside yourself and listen to music, practice mindfulness, engage in breathing exercises or take a nap — just don’t be that commuter who uses their fellows as pillows.