Traffic is every person's nightmare. You are forced to sit in an immobile, air-conditioned car for an hour or more, dealing with angry honking and even angrier drivers. There's not much you can do to stay active in the middle of a traffic jam. The sad truth is, we cannot do anything about this on an individual level. We can, of course, support better traffic laws in our respective countries. But until then, we're stuck wasting away in traffic. However, just because you're in traffic, it doesn't mean that you can't find ways to better yourself.

In this article, we'll be giving you some tips on how to pass the time in traffic more productively. 

1. Podcasts/Audio Books

The Digital age has offered so many options for passing the time productively. Sure, you could listen to the radio, but why not try listening to podcasts? There is a large variety of podcasts available on the internet on a whole host of topics. Whether you want to learn more about history, economics, or just want to hear some fun stories, there's a podcast out there for you.

2. Leg Lifts

You may not believe it, but exercise is still possible while sitting still in traffic. If you're in a particularly long traffic jam, you can do some simple exercises to keep the blood flowing. While sitting down, simply lift your legs. This workout activates your core and enhances the endurance of your legs.  Try rotating your feet as well to improve the circulation of blood if your legs have gotten numb. 

3. Grip Exercises

Obviously, doing bicep curls in traffic isn't exactly a safe thing to do. However, that doesn't mean you can't work out your arm while stuck in traffic. A safe and quick way to get some muscle into your forearms is to get a grip strengthener. They're compact, lightweight, and can immediately be put down once the driving starts again. In a gym, most people don't bother with grip exercises because "they can do it everywhere else", and then they never do. Now, there's no excuse, sitting in traffic takes a while, so why not get some grip training while you're there.

4. Breathing Exercises

Traffic can be stressful. Stress can lead us to hyperventilate and tangle our nerves, so it's better to find ways to relieve stress instead of focusing on the traffic. For this, Dr. Andrew Weil suggests a breathing method called 4-7-8. The 4-7-8 breathing exercise aims to relax the mind and expand the lung's capacity. You inhale for 4 seconds, then exhale for 4 seconds. From there, you do the same going up to 7 seconds and finally, do one last loop for 8 seconds. Repeat this whenever you are starting to feel tense and marvel at the relief.