Mindful Driving – Stay Calm On the Road
There is nothing more irritating than being stuck in traffic. The thought of being late for work, or just stuck for hours initiates our ‘fight or flight’ response. Some of us feel like we’re ‘going crazy’ on the road, and say or do things that we wouldn’t have said or done normally. The worse the traffic jam is, the higher the stress level. It may not look like it, but that is actually the perfect time to try a few mindfulness techniques, that might help balance your mood and change your perspective on your current situation.
1. First of All, Take a Deep Breath – It might sound corny and simplistic, but inhaling oxygen into your body does help to reduce stress levels. While you breathe, remind yourself that the choice is yours, and you choose to stay calm.
2. Ask Yourself What You Need – If you need to regain your composure, try to notice exactly how you feel in each part of your body and find the parts that are tense. If it is a feeling of security that you need, remind yourself that even if you’re late for work, everything will be alright. If you’re 15 minutes late you can stay an extra 15 minutes at the end of the day – every problem has a solution.
3. Look Around at Other Drivers – Everyone on the road wants to feel safe and calm, but not everyone manages to do so. Try to find a driver that feels the same way as you, to understand how a stressed driver looks like from the outside. You might find people who manage road stress by singing in the car or even smiling. When you spot them, you will instantly feel better.
1. First of All, Take a Deep Breath – It might sound corny and simplistic, but inhaling oxygen into your body does help to reduce stress levels. While you breathe, remind yourself that the choice is yours, and you choose to stay calm.
2. Ask Yourself What You Need – If you need to regain your composure, try to notice exactly how you feel in each part of your body and find the parts that are tense. If it is a feeling of security that you need, remind yourself that even if you’re late for work, everything will be alright. If you’re 15 minutes late you can stay an extra 15 minutes at the end of the day – every problem has a solution.
3. Look Around at Other Drivers – Everyone on the road wants to feel safe and calm, but not everyone manages to do so. Try to find a driver that feels the same way as you, to understand how a stressed driver looks like from the outside. You might find people who manage road stress by singing in the car or even smiling. When you spot them, you will instantly feel better.