Commuting to work in heavy traffic is enough to steam even the calmest of drivers. And with 130 million American workers sharing the roads each day, it can be tough to stay relaxed behind the wheel. However, finding ways to chill out while driving helps you stay road safe and also protects your health by reducing cortisol and blood pressure levels. How do you do it?
- Plan in advance: Having fewer chores in the morning helps keep you running on time and less worried about getting it all done. Each night, pack you and your kids’ lunches, choose an outfit and set the timer on the coffee maker. Trimming even ten minutes off your morning routine can be a big relief and reduce your stress levels before hitting the road.
- Utilize flexible hours: While some employers may stick to rigid work hours, many jobs are now allowing their employees more flexibility to provide a better work-home balance. Talk to your supervisor to see if you can work from 10 to 6 instead of 9 to 5, or whatever hours work best for your schedule. Missing the bulk of rush hour traffic can reduce a lot of the commuting stressors.
- Turn on the radio: While it’s important to stay focused on the road, you can distract yourself from the frustration by listening to music. Classical music in particular has been studied for its ability to lower blood pressure and anxiety levels. If that’s not your cup of tea, try listening to an audiobook, a talk radio show or learn a new language. What better way to multitask!
- Put the phone down: Chatting on the phone, texting and checking emails behind the wheel is not only dangerous, but it can also be a source of stress if you’re having a frustrating conversation or reading an email about a problem at work. Our modern world makes information accessible and current, but it will all still be there once you’re safely parked.
Learn about more ways to stay safe on the road. Call Key City Insurance at (435) 656-8100 for more information on Victorville auto insurance.