Make Portland traffic a little less horrible
Portland traffic is bad. Here are some fun things to do to keep your sanity.
Get Fit
Believe it or not, there are actually quite a few exercises you can do when the freeway is a parking lot. Find a Youtube video that you like or read through these eight exercises.
Pack Snacks
Nothing is worse than being stuck in traffic and hungry. Keep snacks in your car that you’ll look forward to enjoying when it takes you 25 minutes to drive a mile.
Become a (Mobile) Bibliophile
Have you ever seen anyone reading a book while in traffic? It cracks me up every time, but it is really unsafe. Multnomah County Library has e-book apps available for free.
Busy Your Mind with Podcasts
You can learn a lot from your favorite podcasts. For personal finance, I enjoy Her Money with Jean Chatzy. For a thought-provoking podcasts, Sincerely, X, HBR IdeaCast, and This American Life are my favorites. There are also some great Oregon podcasts as well like Oh My Dollar! Explore other Oregon-based podcasts.
Take a Hike/Class
Chances are you have a nice green space on your way home. Instead of jumping fighting through the whole commute, decompress with a walk after work. Try one of these Portland parks or search for another location on your way home.
Another option is to take a class a few days a week after work. There are plenty of cheap yoga places in Portland.
Learn a New Language
Now that you finally have time on your hands, you can learn the basics of a new language. Duolingo is free, and has podcasts and apps for your commute.
Commute Less
If you have a desk job, chances are you can do your work from home. Ask if you can work from home one (or more) day a week. It cannot hurt to at least ask. Play up the horrible commute. Seriously. I’m sure you know how many hours you spend commuting a week.
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