FIVE FOR THE DRIVE

Road rage or mild annoyance – whatever level of agitation you might feel while driving – we’ve all been there.

Being stuck behind someone driving 60km/h in an 80km/h zone, or having to slam on the breaks because the driver in front did the same (for no apparent reason), can be exceptionally frustrating.

The unsuspecting offender might be one misstep away from hearing a muffled scream coming from your car, accompanied by a vivacious swinging of the arms and pointing of the fingers. As fun as this might be to some, it serves only to boost your cortisol levels, affecting the rest of your day, while the offending driver remains untouched by your misery.

Don’t do this to yourself, no matter how tempting it might be. Instead, try out some of these ideas to lighten your mood on the commute:

THE CLICHÉ: BREATHE

You might have heard this one before, and for good reason. According to the American Institute of Stress, abdominal breathing for 20 to 30 minutes each day will reduce anxiety and stress.

Although this typically requires you to be in a position wherein your body can completely relax (not while driving, that is), a couple of deep breaths will cause you to feel calm(-er).

PUMP IT UP

Turn up the volume on your favourite song and sing, loudly. Singing releases muscle tension and lowers cortisol levels, because it’s fun. Simple.

NOTICE YOUR ROUTE

Take the time to notice things about the route you’re taking.

Perhaps you take this route every day. Perhaps it’s your first time. Chances are, there will be things you’ve missed and seeing these ‘new’ things, might give you something else to focus on.

DUMP WORK

Do your best not to think of work. This has the tendency to stress us out and that means the battle has already been lost.

REMINISCE

What makes you happy? Fixate on that.

Just like fixating on negative feelings and thoughts can make us feel depressed and angry, fixating on happy feelings and thoughts can make us feel more optimistic and less stressed.