Most drivers have experienced
anger behind the wheel at some point or another. It could be a response to someone who just cut you off or perhaps to someone driving 50 mph in the fast lane. However, it can get dangerous when these feelings manifest themselves in the form of aggressive driving, tailgating other drivers, erratic driving and making rude gestures or even cursing at other drivers. These behaviors can lead to accidents and even dangerous altercations with other passengers on the road. For me personally, I was more prone to fits of
anger in the morning when in a rush to get to work.
One relatively easy way to make your daily commute a bit easier is to leave your house around 15 minutes earlier than you customarily do. This will buy you some extra time in case there is a major accident or if you need to take a detour. One time I left work to only discover that the nearest major street with a freeway onramp was closed off and I was forced to enter the 405 freeway on another street. Not only did this make my route longer but the line to enter the freeway was extremely long and set me back around 15 minutes. Leaving earlier in the mornings leaves room for these type of incidents and will help you retain more control over your situation.
Listening to relaxing or soothing music can also help you enjoy driving more. Jazz and classical songs can help you feel more relaxed and calm. Audio books are another alternative. Taking deep breaths is another way to help you loosen up and shake some of that tension off.
I’ve found that I’m more likely to give in to bursts of
anger when I’m feeling annoyed and stressed out in general. There are certain things that you can do in order to improve your moods. One easy way is to exercise frequently. Exercising regularly increases endorphins which elevates mood and it’s a great way to relieve tension. Most people also tend to feel happier and better equipped to handle a long commute after a good night of sleep.
It also helps to be familiar with the streets and general area surrounding your commute. This way you can easily take alternate streets in case one is blocked and you know where all the freeway entrances are in case one happens to be closed off or blocked. I like to listen to the radio while I’m getting ready at home as the station will frequently broadcast traffic updates. I’ve found this quite helpful because it lets me know which areas to avoid and to leave extra early if I know there’s an incident on the freeway.
Remember that you cannot control the actions of others. However you can definitely control your reaction to other people. If someone cuts you off, you can make a conscious choice to not let it affect your emotions. It’s difficult but it is possible. Learning to keep your cool out on the road will help you avoid unfortunate accidents and altercations on the road.
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