5 Ways to be productive while sitting in traffic

By Ané Theron

While sitting in traffic feels like nothing but a royal waste of your precious time, why not use the time to become smarter, more motivated, or stronger?

Here are ten ways to ensure no second goes to waste:

1. Learn a new language

Studies have shown that one of the sure-fire ways of keeping your brain sharp, is by learning a new language. While most of us are strapped for time, why not use that one-hour commute twice a day to learn this new skill? There's an array of free language podcasts to be found on the internet that can be downloaded before you set off. For more information, click here.

2. Call the people you've not spoken to in ages (but only if you have hands-free Bluetooth, of course)

We all have a list of people in our heads who we've been meaning to call. It could be your grandma, an old friend, or a work colleague who's been going through a tough time. Tick this off your mental to-do list and brighten someone's day at the same time.

3.  Improve your state of mind and/or general wellbeing

Whether you need to stop smoking, improve your memory, or you simply need a kick in the behind to start your own business, you'll be surprised at the amount of free self-help audiobooks and podcasts which are available online. We've found a few excellent choices on MIndvalley.com.

4. Compile a verbal to-do list of everything you've been putting off

Deadlocked in stationary traffic? Use your phone's voice recorder via Android Auto or Apple CarPlay and make a verbal list of everything you haven't had the time to take care of. It can be anything from making a dentist's appointment to paying a bill. Once you have it recorded, transfer the information to a piece of paper when you get home and stick it on your fridge. Once you start ticking off these nagging little items, your life will start to feel more organized.

5. Exercise

You can do several exercises where you repeatedly clench different muscles in your body for a certain amount of seconds, and then relax and repeat. You can do this with your abs, glutes (bum), upper thighs (squeeze your knees together), arms and chest (put the palms of your hands together in a prayer position and push your hands towards each other), biceps (put your palms on both sides of the steering wheel and push towards each other) as well as your hamstrings (put your heels against the bottom of your seat and pull backwards). Hold for as long as you can. Repeat until fatigue sets in.