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Road rage is 100% preventable, yet nearly 80% of drivers admit they express significant anger, road rage, or aggression behind the wheel at least once a month. All around the world drivers report feeling stressed while driving, which can contribute to heightened tensions on the road. The visual below walks through how to de-escalate road rage incidents through good driving habits and mindfulness.
1. Get a good night’s sleep and use scent to boost your mood
Drowsy driving leads to irritability and anxiety, and it also increases your risk of a crash. Catching zzz’s the night before a long commute or road trip will help you relax behind the wheel. For an instant mood booster, use air fresheners or essential oils to create a zen atmosphere in your car. Scents such as lavender and vanilla can help with relaxation and citrus can increase your alertness.
2. Maintain a clean car
A cluttered car will heighten your feelings of anxiety and stress. Instill pride in your vehicle while enhancing your focus by keeping your car clean. Throw out trash at every stop, put items away when you get home rather than leaving them in the backseat, and vacuum your floors regularly.
3. Use deep breathing exercises
Deep breathing exercises, such as those practiced during meditation and yoga, can refocus your attention when feelings of anger begin to boil. Turn on low frequency sounds to maintain a good heart rate and then count from 1 to 10 slowly. Make sure to relax your jaw and unclench your jaw to relax your muscles and joints as well.
4. Practice compassion
Behind the wheel, you may be tempted to “thingify” another driver, or view them and their vehicle as an annoying object rather than a human being. Reminding yourself that there’s a person operating every vehicle around you can help keep your anger in check. Perhaps they made a mistake rather than an intentional slight at you on the road, or just got laid off or devastating news — no matter the reason, they deserve to be treated like a person too.
Road rage is both a dangerous reaction and a growing problem on roads across the world. For more ways to stay calm while driving, check out the visual from Dolman Law below.
