Whether you are a having a rough morning or just had a draining day, driving stressed can be extremely dangerous. When you are constantly thinking about your never-ending to do list or problems you’ve been having, your mind is not focused on the road which can lead to an accident or make you do something you will regret later.
Stress in addition to a long commute to/from work can be extremely frustrating and will completely ruin the rest of your day. While it may seem like there is nothing you can do to relieve stress while sitting in rush-hour traffic, there are actually quite a few ways you can manage your stress in your car.
Here are 5 ways to reduce stress in your car:
1. Know When You’re Stressed
The key to managing stress, however, is to be pro-active and to recognize signs of stress. Once you realize you are stressed, you can begin taking steps to manage it.
2. Think about the Positive
When you’re stressed, it may seem impossible to come up with something positive that happened in your day. But if it’s something small like the great sandwich you had for lunch or the blooming flowers on the side of the road, think about something positive that makes you happy.
3. Buy an Air Freshener
While a nice smelling car won’t make your problems go away, there are certain scents that may induce mood changes. Scents like lavender, vanilla and peppermint have been proven to be relaxing and stress-reducing. You should try and look for air fresheners with essential oils.
4. Always be Courteous
Even if you are having a bad day, you should always be polite to other drivers. Don’t tailgate, cut people off or make potentially offensive hand gestures. And you never know, the person you let in front of you may also be having a bad day.
5. Slow Down
If you’re having a bad day, always take a minute to take a deep breath and calm down before getting into your car. If you are unable to focus, you might want to reconsider getting into your car and driving. Stress and other high-emotions can increase the likelihood of an accident and may cause you to exhibit road rage. Ask a friend to drive you home or at least calm down before you hit the road.
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If you’re a fan of Deepak Chopra, you might want to check out his new iPhone app; it’s a first of its kind iPhone application implementing a thorough program to remove stress from daily life.
Stress from sore shoulders and back every drive is something you don’t have to endure. Doing a few stretches before you leave in the morning, along the way while driving responsibly and when you step out of your car – all assure you’ll feel better after your commute. Police officers, sales people and busy parents are enjoying the safe, small techniques. There are also simple, invigorating breathing exercises and road rage remedies in Drivetime Yoga – book and CD:
http://www.DrivetimeYoga.com. Try out the Free Test Drive download as well.
Elaine, The Drivetime Yogagal
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