If you’re tired of an angry drive, then do what you can to tame the rage. Take a look at these key tips for preventing road rage during your commute!
Road rage can be quite the beast. It can sneak up on you when you least expect it or be an overwhelming presence the moment you sit in the car. Whatever your road rage type, it’s important to recognize that there are tons of different drivers on the road, all dealing with their own problems—transferring rage onto them won’t make your drive any easier. For more tips for preventing road rage during your commute, take a look below. Keep the roads safe and follow these the next time you get in the car.
Understand the Different Drivers
As we mentioned above, it’s important—especially if you really struggle with road rage—to understand that there is a person behind the wheel in each car that irritates you. There are various kinds of drivers on the road—the speeder, the student driver, and the multitasker, to name a few—and they all have a reason for how they’re driving.
Maybe the student driver cut you off because they’re not quite sure how to check their blind spots. Maybe the multitasker is talking on the phone with a loved one in the hospital. Even though it doesn’t make their choices smart, it does help you remember to treat the driver behind the wheel as a person.
Take a Few Deep Breaths
If you really struggle with road rage, then this tip probably seems like a joke to you. However, training yourself to take deep breaths instead of screaming at the neighboring car will help reduce your road rage habits. Start small—if someone doesn’t use their turn signal, and that normally upsets you, use that small annoyance as a chance to breathe deeply and focus on positive thoughts.
Give Yourself Extra Time
Another reason people tend to experience road rage is because they don’t leave themselves enough time in the morning. The stress of being late partners with the stress of the busy roads, which means road rage is bound to happen. Reduce that anger by changing your schedule around and giving yourself extra time to get to work.
Plan Relaxation for Your Drive
This is a great idea if your drive really is filled with tension. Instead of stress, fill your car with sensory experiences that elicit relaxation. Don’t listen to aggressive music; listen to calming music. Listen to a podcast that makes you laugh. Add in a car scent or air freshener that calms you, such as lavender. If you can, make your car an oasis to decompress rather than a place to stress out.
Get Enough Sleep
Lastly, make sure that you’re getting enough sleep. Driving when exhausted or cranky from not enough sleep will make it that much easier to go from zero to one hundred. Again, readjust your schedule, but make sure you leave room for sleep too!