Do you get stressed
out behind the wheel? Think driver stress is no big deal? Think again.
According to a
collaboration between the car manufacturer Audi and the Senseable City Lab at
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, called “The Road Frustration Index,”
city driving is considered as stressful
as sky diving out of an airplane. This study is not based on burning up a
Formula One racetrack at over 200 mph, but simple, routine, every-day
driving. Moreover, there have been
many studies done that link up heightened driver stress with vehicle
collisions.
Therefore, if you
want to reduce your chance of vehicle collision, you need to lower your stress
while driving. Stress raises cortisol in your brain (which triggers your fight
or flight response), and thus impairs your ability to think and respond to the
unexpected.
As we saw in the last
article, the holiday season is the peak vehicle collision season. So, here are
some ways that you can lower your driver stress and in turn lower your risk of
accident:
1.
Create
a Relaxed Environment: Skip the
rambunctious rush hour radio programs, and instead play calming music. Try
things like massaging seat covers and essential oils. Rid yourself of
distracting objects, such as cell-phones, reports, newspapers, or grooming
products.
2.
Start
out Calm: Clear your mind of
problems before starting your vehicle, so you can focus on the road and hazards
ahead. Don’t drive if you’re sleepy or angry. Don’t dwell on negative thoughts.
3.
Plan
Your Route Beforehand and Leave Extra Time: Heading somewhere late can heat up the stress levels. Stay calm
by allowing yourself extra time, and plan out your route beforehand if you’re,
say, going somewhere to a meeting for the first time. If you’re running late,
remind yourself that being late is not as bad as causing a potentially fatal
accident.
4.
Keep
your Kids Entertained: Bored,
noisy children can cause the blood pressure to rise. Quiet children make for a
relaxing drive. Keep them occupied with audio books, video games, or other
forms of entertainment.
5.
Do
a Routine Check-In with Yourself:
“How am I feeling? What’s my posture? What thoughts are rolling around my
mind?” Take a deep breath. Relax your hand on the steering wheel. Sit back in
your seat. Roll your shoulders and head, wiggle your jaw around, and chill your
body out.
6.
Avoid
Aggressive Drivers: If you
encounter an aggressive driver, simply let them pass, or get out of their way.
Don’t bother with them by making eye contact or honking your horn—this can
cause road rage and even a collision.
Follow these
stress-lowering techniques and you will reduce your risk of collision. Who
knows—you might even enjoy your drive.
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