4 Ways To Improve Your Commute

Stop signIt is no secret that the Beltline can be horrible, terrible, the worst, a challenge through the peak hours of the morning and afternoon commute. While the Madison area commute may not always be the most ideal drive in Wisconsin, there are ways to improve the sometimes stressful journey to the office.

Podcasts

It seems podcasts are everywhere these days. With the popularity of podcasts such as Serial, which has reached more than a million listeners, commuters have never had more listening options in the car.  Podcast choices range between news, storytelling, industry-specific subjects, to an entire host of other topics. So whether you are a fan of Radiolab, This American Life or the locally produced Growth Bomb, many podcasts are free and can be downloaded right to a phone.

Playlists

Cassettes may have met their ultimate demise, but the idea behind the mix tape is still alive and well. A well-crafted playlist can influence your emotions and get you motivated for the tasks of the day. Why not try a day of the week playlist to pump you as the week progresses? Or create two separate playlists for the morning and evening commute. The right music not only improves overall mood, but also helps the commute feel more like an adventure rather than a task.

Bike It

Wisconsin is fortunate to have an abundance of bike trails available to tourist, adventurists and commuters. Madison itself has dedicated trails and programs in place for those who commute by bike that includes a collaboration with metro buses and local bike rentals. Commuters in this area have the options to bike all the way to work, park and rent a bike for a portion of the trip, or combine it with a bus ride. A bike commute serves the dual purpose of also offering busy professionals the chance to add fitness into a hectic workday schedule.

Ride, Don’t Drive

Public transportation, vanpools, carpools and dedicated rideshare programs offer alternatives to fighting traffic alone from inside your car. People who want to catch a few more moments on rest, complete a project on a laptop or swap stories with other riders have this commuter option.

With a variety of options to help workers cope with the daily drive, what things to you incorporate in your daily commute to the office?

If you are looking for a job closer to home, contact a Drake & Company Staffing Solutions recruiter at (608) 257-2411 to find out how we can help you find a shorter commute.

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Stephanie Beirne Leuer is the Marketing Coordinator at Drake & Company Staffing Solutions, a staffing firm based in Madison, Wisconsin. Drake & Company specializes in temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct hire administrative, clerical and legal placements. Since 1978, Drake has reached beyond skills and qualifications to match candidate personalities with a company’s culture. You can connect with Stephanie by , and you can find Drake & Company on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, Instagram and Pinterest.