There are plenty of ways to stayed entertained during a long commute. For those using trains, planes, buses or other public transportation, the possibilities are more plentiful. Those who are driving should take care not to put themselves or other drivers in danger for the sake of preventing boredom.
A public transportation commute is open to many possibilities. Reading books is great way to keep a commute from getting boring. Computer reading systems can cut down on the bulk that books can create. Puzzle books like crossword puzzles or seek and finds can keep the brain active and alert. With countless cell phone and handheld games, anyone can keep busy for hours.
Any activity that is quiet and does not disturb other commuters is perfectly acceptable. Avoid playing loud music through headphones or talking loudly on the phone as this can annoy others on the train. For commuters who want to catch a few minutes of sleep on the train, they should be sure their belonging are in a secure position to avoid theft.
It can be a bit more challenging to find ways to make a long commute less boring when the commuter is the driver. Many people choose to talk on their cell phones, but this is not the safest option and is not recommended. Many states have laws against talking on the phone while driving, or at least require the use of a hands-free set. Text messaging is in most cases a worse prospect as the driver's eyes must leave the road to type the letters. Safety is always the number one priority during a commute.
A better option for entertainment is to listen to an audio book. Purchasing these books can sometimes be pricey, especially if the listener is burning through one or two a week. The good thing is that they are usually available at local libraries for free. Many libraries even have the capability to allow members to download audio books in MP3 format so that they can be played through MP3 players or burned onto compact disks.
In these days of hyper-technology, it is even possible to take a college course during a commute. Companies like The Learning Company, LLC offer courses in history, business, science, religion, and others that students can listen to through a CD player or MP3 player. There is always the old standby of learning a language as well. Bookstores have a wide array of languages available that involve listening to an audio recording.