GRANDVILLE, Mich. -- At Serra Honda Grandville, we've talked about a great many things here on our blog, but now it's time for the hard-hitting content. Something Psychology Today reports that over 78% of Americans admit to doing, and chances are you or someone you know is part of that chunk of the population. Something that feels so natural at the moment, but can actually be detrimental to your health, not to mention incredibly dangerous to other drivers!
You've guessed it, we're talking about road rage. While even the most zen among us is nearly powerless to resist the instinct to just lose it when someone cuts you off on the way into work, we're here with some tips to help you relax when your trip gets stressful.
1. CHANGE YOUR THINKING
People who are prone to anger are almost three times more likely to suffer a heart attack, according to the American Psychological Association. Other health risks in people who are quick to anger are obesity (and consequently difficulty losing weight), depression, and stroke. On top of that, you're out there piloting two-tons of motorized metal, which you don't need an expert to tell you is a recipe for disaster.
If you're the type that goes from 0-60 as fast as your car does, you may want to consider cognitive reprogramming. The next time someone cuts you off, think to yourself, "is making my point worth risking my life?" or do a mental 180 and laugh it off. You'd be surprised how soothing laughter can be, and how it can completely redirect your thought process and mood!
2. PLAN AHEAD
Do you find yourself weaving in and out of traffic in the morning? Do you always allow yourself just enough time to get to where you need to be? If so, then you're headed right down the road to rage. If you've got an important meeting or an obscenely punctual boss, try to wake up earlier and catch the morning traffic report to plan around any delays! On top of that, allowing yourself some chill time with a nice cup of coffee rather than flying out the door in the morning does wonders for your stress levels throughout the day. If you over-snooze your alarm (let's be honest we all have), just call ahead to the office and accept the fact that you're running a bit behind. It's not worth endangering yourself and others on the road!
3. YOUR CAR IS FOR DRIVING
The cheap thrill of flooring it when your emotions are running high is exactly that, a cheap thrill. Before you put the pedal to the metal, take a deep breath and ask yourself: "What does this accomplish? Do I want to let someone I don't even know disrupt MY serenity?" Chances are the person you just sped past to teach a lesson wasn't even paying attention to you in the first place, and now you've just rear-ended the person in front of you, who is REALLY paying attention to you!
If you had a nerve-wracking day at work, your significant other is pushing all of your buttons, or just woke up on the wrong side of the bed, give yourself some time to defuse before you get behind the wheel.
4. GET ENOUGH SLEEP
You may be an adult, but if there's one thing that hasn't changed since you've been a toddler, it's that you're cranky when you don't get enough sleep! And it's even worse when you get behind the wheel. According to pretty much every doctor that's ever doctored, the average adult should be getting at least 8 hours of sleep a night. Having a nice cup of chamomile tea or performing relaxation breathing exercises to let go of the day before bed can help you drift peacefully off to dreamland, and stay there. If you're still having difficulty, pay the doc a visit. There's no shame in getting help when your health and safety are concerned!
5. BE MINDFUL OF OTHERS
Whether we're aware of it or not, EVERYONE views the world through their own lens. You're you 100% of the time, so its only natural that you compare the actions and perceptions of others to your own. Doesn't mean you're a bad person, it's just how we're programmed! Although, it might surprise you how much your stress level (especially behind the wheel) can drop when you allow yourself a good dose of empathy.
When you feel that another person is an "idiot" on the road, you're actually making a judgment about how they're acting in relation to you. Instead, consider what they might be going through. Perhaps they have a small child or an animal in the car, got a call that a loved one is in the hospital, or just had a bad day at work like you. Mindfulness has been shown to help reduce stress because it cultivates a sense of community. When you put yourself in someone else's shoes, you can better relate to them.
We all experience road rage at one point or another, but it's ultimately up to you whether or not you allow it to consume you! At Serra Honda Grandville, we want you and your family to be safe no matter where the road takes you, and part of that helping to ensure you have the tools necessary to check your feelings behind the wheel and overcome! Let's battle road rage together!
Give Serra Honda Grandville, the #1 Honda Dealer in Michigan in 2017, a call at (877) 236-9113, or visit us at 4260 Kenowa Ave. Grandville, MI 49418, one mile west of RiverTown Mall.
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