If you've got a long commute to work, you probably try to distract yourself. You might listen to music or an audiobook. Trying mindfulness when you commute might make your commute better and improve your job skills.
The Harvard Business Review looked at the benefits of starting your drive to work with a mindfulness practice:
To use your daily driving commute to help you practice conscious thinking and improve your mindfulness, start by getting into the car and acknowledging the intention that you aspire to be mindful during the commute. Take a few deep breaths. Once buckled up, but before you start to drive, become aware of your body. Feel your hands on the steering wheel, the contour of your body on the seat, your foot on the pedal. Make an effort to be aware of the body and feel present. Start to drive and notice that you are "looking" as you drive: through your windshield, into your mirrors. Now become aware that you are "listening." Notice the sounds you hear.
The idea is that you are continuously aware of three things: your body, what you see, and what you hear. This is what it is to be mindfully present as you drive. Do your best to stay present for the entire commute.
Set your phone to do-not-disturb and keep your focus on your driving. If your focus waivers, gently bring it back to the drive. Instead of arriving to work stressed, you'll arrive aware and ready for the day.
Your Car Commute Is a Chance to Practice Mindfulness | Harvard Business Review via Inc.
Photo by Matthias Rhomberg.