They say you shouldn’t go to bed, angry or stressed. And the same goes for getting in your car. Getting in your vehicle stressed could lead to careless driving, irritability with other drivers, and could lead to an accident.
Taking some time to calm down, relax and de-stress could benefit you before you get behind the wheel. Here are some of the things you can do to help banish stress before you get in your car.
Take a walk
Walking can be a very calming activity. It’s a gentle form of exercise that will help you to burn off some excess stress and give you some time to clear your head too. If you’d prefer something a bit more vigorous, why not go to the gym or go for a run instead? There are workouts for stress relief that can be very effective, and leave you feeling more positive and have more energy by the time you’re ready to drive.
Talk to someone
A problem shared is a problem halved. So why not talk to a friend or relative about your issue? Get out of your car and pick up the phone. A quick vent to someone could help you beat that initial stress and calm you down enough to drive. Some problems can quickly resolve themselves by speaking to someone, while also giving you some more clarity too. Once you’re in the car, put your phone away – talking while driving can be a dangerous distraction.
Don’t eat junk
Eating junk might feel like you’re getting an energy boost, but the truth is that this pick me up is short-lived, and will soon leave you on a sugar crash. It’s better to eat foods that provide sustained energy instead of loading up on sugar-filled or salty snacks.
A better diet overall can help boost your mood and help you better cope with stress. You should look at foods that can lower your cholesterol, the effects of CBD and blood pressure, and how giving up drinking and smoking could boost your mental and physical health. Simple changes to your lifestyle can have a significant impact on your stress levels.
Try stretching and meditation.
Stretching and meditation are beneficial ways of relaxing and letting go of stress. By giving yourself some time to take some deep breaths and mentally prepare yourself for driving, you’ll feel more in control when you’re ready to set off. Why not see if you can enjoy the benefits of yoga to help you become a less stressed driver?
Feeling stressed before you set out to drive is never great. The strain of getting from A to B and dealing with traffic is enough in itself to cause you further stress. If you’ve got time, take a breather to focus your mind on something else. Some relaxing music can also help you if you need to set off straight away. Focus on getting home and doing something relaxing, and the stress will soon disappear.
If your road rage doesn’t go away repeat all the above before you get in a car.
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