Beat Rush-Hour Traffic Stress

Turn Your Hectic Work Commute into a Time of Relaxation and Peace

Aug 16, 2007 Angela England

Rush hour. Hate sitting bumper-to-bumper with total strangers all as stressed out and anxious as you are? Turn your traffic jammed commute to a time of refreshing!

Americans spend more than 15 hours in their vehicles each week, and for some a daily commute to and from work is the most stressful part of the day. But you can use those rush hour minutes as a time of de-stressing and unwinding with a little bit of planning.

  1. Make Your Car a Sanctuary. It is hard to relax when you are surrounded by clutter so make sure your car presents a clean, if not spotless, image. Simply being sure to empty out trash wrappers and papers each day can make a big difference.
  2. Use Aromatherapy in the Car. Personal aromatherapy diffusers are available that are the perfect size for use in the car and high-quality essential oil blends can be used to produce specific therapeutic benefits. Try a relaxation blend of Lavender and Tangerine essential oils in the afternoons on your way home and a blend that is energizing, like Peppermint and Rosemary essential oils in the morning on your way to work!
  3. Play Rush-Hour Stress Combatant Music. While your favorite tunes for hanging out or jamming may have heavier beats and louder tracks try a different approach for unwinding in the car on the way home. Play relaxing classical music selections or CD's that have ambient sounds like ocean waves or waterfalls to counteract the angrier noises of traffic jams.
  4. Sing Aloud – Loudly! The other alternative to easy-listening type music is to crank your favorite tunes and sing out loud without shame. Don't hold back – you know you want to! Singing can encourage full, deep breathes that are energizing and stimulate the brain, counteracting stress hormones that build up throughout the day.
  5. Get a Massaging Car Seat Pad. While these seat back cushions are no substitute for a professional massage, it is a gentle way to temporarily loosen tight muscles and relax tension built up throughout the day.
  6. Use a Voice Recorder. Are you anxious because you still feel like you have a lot on your plate? Use a voice recorder to “take notes” in a safe way so you don't forget something. I know freelance writers who have even outlined new articles in their cars using a voice recorder and simply transcribing it when they get home.
  7. Eat a Healthy Snack and Drink a Bottle of Water. Chronic dehydration and late afternoon drops in blood sugar levels can make you feel more irritable and fatigued. Help counter act this tendency by eating a healthy snack like fresh fruit (apples pack very well), nuts, trail mix, beef jerky, or other low fat snack option. Be sure you have a big glass or bottle of water so you can have plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated the whole drive home.

Use these tips to help energize yourself in preparation for a long day at work, or help unwind on your way home even in the hectic rush hour traffic.

The copyright of the article Beat Rush-Hour Traffic Stress in Workplace Culture is owned by Angela England. Permission to republish Beat Rush-Hour Traffic Stress in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Rush hour traffic stress - don't let it get you!, Lonnie Bradley http://www.mckinleybrown.com Rush hour traffic stress - don't let it get you!
   
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