No matter the situation, commuting can be boring. Traffic is a nightmare, subways can be packed and trains can be delayed. Even walking or biking to your destination can have its setbacks.

Since we can’t completely avoid commuting, why not take advantage of the opportunity to get from point A to point B? Better yet, why not try making it a happy part of your day?

Taking the time to intentionally check in with ourselves and ask how we are doing at different times throughout the day will help us make choices and schedules that are better aligned with the things that make us happy.

Whether you’re heading to work or meeting up with friends, your commute is the perfect time to incorporate self-care and wellness into your daily routine. Not only will this make you happier, but you’ll be more alert and happy when you arrive at your destination – and who doesn’t want that?

Here are some small ways to make your trip work to your advantage:

Focus on your favorite song.

Research shows that happy music combined with mindfulness meditation can improve your mood and heighten your awareness.

Listen to a favorite song over and over again, focusing on a different aspect each time, such as solos, harmony, guitar, bass, etc. Not only will your favorite song bring a lot of joy, but it will also develop mindfulness in you as you listen to specific parts and filter out the others.

Smell a calming scent.

If there is a scent that attracts you and brings you a lot of joy, smell it before you go out. This might mean using a citrus-scented lotion or using a lavender-scented putty.

Research shows aromatherapy may benefit your mental health. Lavender and peppermint are two popular essential oils that can calm you down and boost your mood.

Take a few deep breaths.

When we feel extremely stressed or anxious, our bodies go into “fight or flight,” also known as “survival mode.” In this mode, you may begin to breathe faster and feel tense in your body.

Deep breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system response in our body, moving us out of the “fight or flight” feeling and into a calmer, “rest and digest” feeling. You can try taking three deep breaths, inhaling for four seconds and exhaling for eight seconds.

Incorporating this practice into a part of your commute, like getting on the bus or driving, will make it easier to stick to it.

Catch up with a loved one offline.

Although you may have a lot on your plate, make it a priority to talk to the people who bring you joy and happiness.

Call a friend, family member or neighbor on your commute to get off work. Spending time with the people we love can improve our mental health by making us feel supported and nurtured.

Visualize expressing yourself creatively.

Creative expression through a medium such as art or music can help you understand your feelings, overcome difficult emotions, and develop healthy coping mechanisms.

Even if you don’t consider yourself creative, you can still enjoy this technique and have fun with it.

If you can, try to think about what you might be writing, drawing, or taking photos at this very moment. Visualizing ways to channel your creative energy can help you feel centered and improve your mood quickly, even if you’re not actually doing anything at the moment.

Listen to your favorite podcast.

Listening to a podcast or creator that makes you laugh might make you feel happier.

If you don’t have a favorite podcast yet, you might want to listen to one that isn’t work- or news-focused, as those can be stressful for you.

Mental health podcasts can be helpful because they provide coping mechanisms that can help relieve stress and anxiety. Try finding podcasts from sources you trust, such as a therapist or psychiatrist.

Prioritize a splurge.

If you can, give yourself a little reward by changing up your commute a little bit. Maybe that means grabbing a latte before heading into the office, or taking a scenic route to enjoy the beauty of nature on the way to your appointment.

A small piece of joy can be found anywhere we find meaning. We just need to consciously practice weaving it in. It is recommended to keep giving yourself these rewards so that you have something to look forward to and make you feel happy.