10/31/2024
Did you know ... The average US driver spends 42 hours per year stuck in traffic.
Here are a few tips to help relieve your traffic stress and a link to a blog with more great information!
These evidence-based tips help you stay calmer and more centered in the midst of bumper-to-bumper chaos:
* Inhale, exhale, repeat. When you start gripping the steering wheel like a vise, take some deep breaths. This is not only a proven technique for eliciting relaxation. It's also simple enough to do behind the wheel.
* Redefine the situation. Rather than thinking of the traffic snarl as an obstacle to getting where you want to be, tell yourself it’s a welcome respite from work or a golden opportunity to listen to your favorite radio show.
* Curtail angry reactions. Don’t expect to eliminate every negative feeling. If you feel a flash of annoyance when a driver cuts you off, that’s okay. Notice and accept what you’re feeling in the present moment — and then move on to the next moment. This helps stop yourself from fuming over the other driver’s behavior, so a split-second of irritation doesn’t turn into full-blown road rage.
* Quell anxious thoughts. Likewise, if you feel a twinge of worry over being late, approach it with the same mindful attitude. Notice and accept the feeling nonjudgmentally, and then let it go. Turn your awareness to what's happening in the present moment: the sight of vehicles moving (or not) around you, the sound of sirens in the distance, the feel of your foot on the pedals.
* Put on a happy face. When you’re doing 10 miles per hour in the fast lane, smile. If you’re able to see the humor in the situation, that’s a great stress reliever. But even if you’re faking the smile, research suggests that going through the motions of smiling may reduce the intensity of your body’s stress response.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/minding-the-body/201509/how-to-stress-less-in-a-traffic-jam
