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SALT LAKE CITY -- According to a CNN article by Jeff Levine, "Feeling stress behind the wheel may be a familiar sensation for hundreds of drivers, but some medical experts say it could be more than just a temporary irritant. It could be a health hazard."
A number of studies have shown that stress on the road can send your moods plummeting and negatively affect your job performance. What's worse, long and stressful commutes leave drivers more likely to have high blood pressure and a susceptibility to illness.
This is in addition to the hazards of road rage, both for your car and for your personal safety.
George Carlin once said, "Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?" Truer words have seldom been spoken. Unfortunately, you can't change how other people drive, but you can work to change how you react to the idiots and maniacs out on the road.
Don't take it personally
If someone is driving aggressively -- tailgating, zipping in and out of traffic, cutting people off -- don't take it personally. These drivers are not specifically singling you out in a diabolical scheme to ruin your day. This kind of behavior is chronic and they do this to everyone. Don't let their aggression become your problem.
Give yourself time
Try to give yourself an extra five or 10 minutes for your drive. If you have this cushion, slowdowns on the road won't overly stress you because you can still make your destination on time.
Drive safely
If you follow the rules of the road -- such as giving yourself enough following space, merging at the speed of traffic, not rushing through yellow lights -- you'll be less likely to get in accidents and close calls, and more likely to keep your blood pressure at an even keel.
Create a calm driving space
The chaos of an untidy area adds to a low level of stress. As many a car wash marquis will tell you, a clean car is a happy car. Make this your motto for the inside. Clear out the clutter, clean your windows and keep your dashboard dust-free. In addition, keep a mellow music CD or playlist handy for stressful driving situations. You can also listen to an audio book or talk radio to take your mind off the traffic -- just don't take your mind off the road.
Do unto others
When you do good, you feel good. Let people in, move over when someone behind you is going faster, and wave to other drivers who have done the same for you. Not only will you get a boost from it, you just might start a movement that will catch on.
Email: lmaxfield@ksl.com
