Driving through today’s city streets, busy intersections, and ultra-fast highways require patience. It’s easy to lose your temper and experience road rage when another driver does something that could endanger the lives of other road users. How do you recognize the symptoms of road rage and resolve them quickly?
Have a good night’s sleep
Tempers soar on the road due to poor quality or lack of sleep.
- When we don’t sleep well, we experience more impatience caused by our limbic system. If you have an important meeting tomorrow night, go to bed much earlier.
Pretend You Have a Loved One in Your Car
Pretend that your loved ones are with you the entire time you are driving.
- This growth mindset allows motorists to think about the safety and well-being of their passengers, their loved ones, even when they do not have a physical presence.
Think about the possible consequences if you lose control
When you’re sharing the road with others, you’re always unsure of the emotional state they’re in
- A petty dispute when two people are raging mad doesn’t get resolved quickly.
- Take a deep breath and count to 10 while doing deep breathing exercises
Realize that people can sometimes be difficult
Aim to be the bigger person when someone is experiencing road rage
- Letting go of the culprit may not suit you at first.
- In the end, you will feel much better about yourself and how well you handled your anger
Take a deep breath to calm road rage
Count from 1 to 5 as you breathe in through your nose.
- Now hold it for a couple of seconds. Exhale for a count of 6 to 10. Your exhale should be longer than your inhale to maximize the benefits of breathing deeply.
Conclusion Lives can change every time there’s a range of unmanaged emotions on the streets and highways of the city. Dealing with road rage more constructively can help you avoid becoming another road rage statistic.
If you find yourself in an altercation with another driver, simmer down and remove yourself from the situation.
Pullover calmly to avoid road rage
Reflect, take a deep breath, look around, and think of something more pleasant
- Signal your intention to stop
- Move from one lane to another as soon as the vehicle behind you gives the go-ahead signal
- This maneuver alone is enough to control your anger
Make your trip as comfortable as possible
Air conditioner or reupholster your seat, and have window tint installed in any way that protects it from heat and sunlight.
- Put on a lavender-scented car air freshener to help relieve stress on the road.
Exit before
The earlier you leave for work and from work, the less likely you will get stuck in traffic, allowing you to drive calmly and minimize the risk of road rage.
- If the roads start to get busy at 7 a.m., maybe you should be on the road by 6 am instead.
Listen to softer music
Studies show that the more intense the music you’re listening to, your heartbeat will beat stronger
- Turn down the bass and listen to some good instrumental, classical, or love songs
- Better yet, why not listen to something fun or mellow so you can drive calmly?
Pretend You’re in a Public Place Like a Restaurant
People are more understanding and more forgiving when in restaurants or any other public space, if you haven’t noticed.
- When someone cuts you off in line, you’ll likely gently tell them or ignore it as a simple case of courtesy.
