Learn How to Reduce Driving Stress and Road Rage for a Calmer Commute

Nov 7, 2024

Today is National Stress Awareness Day, and nothing could be more fitting as we close out this tenuous election year season. Today, we’re sharing some tips and tricks that can help you remain calm while driving, reduce your stress during your commute, and assist you in increased focus while on the road. Alleviate your travel stress with these pointers, and they may just reduce your stress elsewhere in your life, too. Make more time for calm and mindful activity in your life, and you might also see improvement in your physical health as well.

No matter where you’re heading off to, try to allow yourself an extra 15 to 30 minutes of driving time to allow for delays, traffic, and a little unwinding time after arrival. Allowing a buffer zone for delays has been said to significantly reduce stress and affords drivers more patience to obey traffic laws and speed limits. Instead of panicking about tardiness, it allows us plenty of time to account for unexpected delays such as traffic, accidents, or other roadway hazards. Additionally, should you encounter a delay, you’ll have plenty of time ahead of the game to alert your coworkers or anyone who is expecting you about the delays, so they can make alternative arrangements for your absence.

Give yourself a break from the daily commute by opting for public transportation, carpooling, and rideshares to alleviate pressures from constant traffic exposure. Utilizing mass public transit options can provide us a little relief from having to be focused on the commute, and allow us more personal time to read, explore hobbies, chat with friends, etc. Taking public transport also can provide a sense of community and satisfy our brain’s inherent desire to be around other people, and to experience novel environments. It may also reduce spending on fuel and car repairs over time.
Take the scenic route when possible! Driving on the same roadways and highways through busy urban areas can become monotonous and stressful. Give your brain and body a rest and take the route with less tolls, less highway congestion, and opt for some backroads instead such as roadways which lead you through wooded or natural reserve areas. Take in the scenery around you as you drive, and roll down your windows for some fresh air!

Create a routine of mindful breathing, meditation practices like yoga or mantra recitation, peaceful walks in nature, or other methods of calming measures to reduce overall stress loads on and off the roadways. Building a repertoire of deep breathing and calming techniques can come in handy when you encounter frustrating drivers on the road! Focus on taking slow, calm, and controlled breaths by inhaling slowly through your nose, then exhaling slowly through your mouth. You can always pull over and focus on some music and continue your breathing if necessary until calm and close your eyes to tune out the environment.vehicles to have a break from constant hustle-and-bustle, allowing you more disposable income for other activities.
Try not to drive on an empty stomach, and make sure to eat something with adequate protein and hydrate before you hit the road. Many people have increased frustration and decreased patience when hunger sets in, and a hangry driver isn’t going to make a friendly driver! You can increase your patience and calm, as well as be more focused and intentional about your driving after you’ve eaten well. If you know you’re short on time in the mornings or between activities, it can be helpful to keep a stash of shelf-stable snacks and beverages in your vehicle for easy access.

Do your best to keep to posted traffic speeds and reduce “lead footed” driving habits. When driving above the posted speed limit, it can increase frustration when driving behind someone who is perceived to be “a slowpoke”, causing undue stress for everyone involved. Road rage isn’t good for anyone! Keeping to posted traffic speeds and obeying road signs can reduce our tension, increase our focus on the changing traffic patterns, and allows plenty of time to stop short to prevent accidents.

Keep your eyes on the road and off of your electronics for more mindful driving habits. Distracted driving can cause significant accidents and increase stress due to lack of focus. In fact, statistically speaking, watching videos on your infotainment center, participating in video chats or even texting whilst driving can significantly increase accident risk, even more than drunk driving. Reduce unnecessary stress and anxiety about collisions by keeping your eyes on the road and off of our phones, devices, and infotainment screens.