Commuting & Stretching: A great match

I know for a fact that commute time is not fun. It is frustrating, stressful, a total waste of time - sitting behind the wheel for 1-3 hours while you have to do so many other things. Darn, such a waste.

Let’s turn it into a positive thing!

Most of the time you don't have a choice - you have to go from A to B and it will take you a number of hours!

Here are 5 things to do to make it beneficial for YOU!

  1. Listen to your favorite music - it will bring your spirits up - you can even dance in the car! Or wiggle, really!

  2. Listen to an audiobook, a podcast, the news - anything that interests you that you might not otherwise have time for during the day. Hello, multitasking!

  3. Think about your day - how did it go, what could you have done better, what did you achieve, what was GOOD and how can you enforce more of that good stuff. I do this a lot , somehow this is the time I can concentrate and think - some of my great ideas have come from behind the wheel. You can too! Turn it into ME time!

  4. You can practice breathing - This refreshes your mind and body by bringing more oxygen and increase in the blood flow - you will feel revitalized. It might be awkward at first but at least you are alone so you don’t have to worry about anyone watching or judging!

  5. Do some stretches - when I say that to my clients most of the time they are surprised.  How can you do that while driving?  Very easy, you just need to be creative.    

12 ideas for stretching and moving behind the wheel while commuting to and from:

  1. Tuck your chin in, make the back of your neck longer by pushing up with the top of your head and hold for 5-10 sec, do it 2 times.

  2.  Tuck your chin in and slowly move it to the right, go back to starting position in the center and then move it to the left - only about 2-3 inches to the sides, go slowly, repeat 2-3 times

  3.  Tuck your chin in - from this position bend your head to right (think about your ear going towards your shoulder), then go to neutral position back to the center and then to the left - do it very slowly and in a very small range. Don’t overextend.

  4.   Shake your shoulders. Shrug your shoulders. Just move them around.

  5.   Bring your shoulders up towards your ears, hold for 5 sec and slowly bring them down - repeat 2-3 times

  6.   Circle your shoulders in different directions - keep them loose - this is not an exercise, it is to release the tension.

  7.   Move your back away from the back of the seat at about 10 inches, bring it back to the seat and press it against the back of the seat - hold for 5 sec, repeat 5 times.

  8.   Squeeze your glute muscles, hold for 5 sec and release, 10 times

  9.   Rock your pelvis back and forward, just an inch or so, 10 times   

  10.   Let your knees fall out and relax instead of holding them tight and rolled in

  11.  You can do heel raises, ankle circles, toe crunches with your free leg - you can figure out how if you believe this will be helpful for you - it is easy!

  12. You can stretch your shoulders, forearms, wrists,  fingers, feet. You can be creative and find other options as long as you are committed to do something for yourself for the time you are stuck behind the wheel! 

Take advantage of this time and use it for yourself - you can turn your commute time into a bit of fun!

I just wanted to bring this to your attention - the rest of it is in your hands!