I used to get so angry when driving down the road. Why was that? They didn't have a name for it when I felt it, but now it's officially "Road Rage".
The trouble was I was always feeling like someone was purposefully working toward trying to make me late for things. They would get in my lane and cut me off without using their turn signal, or would cut across traffic without any regard to their fellow drivers.
If they did use their turn signal and I let them in, they'd slow down and not even give the common courtesy of waving to thank me. How selfish I was feeling! I took the whole thing personally. Tail-gaters and other dangerous drivers would drive me up the wall!!
I would curse and shout and turn red-faced. My heart would race, my hands would shake, and I felt like I wanted to hit something, or shoot someone. It got pretty bad.
To combat road rage I found several things that work quite well.
1. Leave 5 minutes early.
2. Turn on soothing music, not head-banger rock n roll.
3. If you can't control it, don't sweat it.
4. If you don't like driving in traffic find an alternate scenic route, you may find yourself getting home faster using the streets.
5. If someone makes you angry, smile and wave at them, it confuses them and makes you less angry.
6. Most of all.....BREATHE!!!!!!
I hope that none of you feel road rage the way I did, and if you do, I hope that you can use my tips to help you to reduce the stress that occurs in city driving, or even on country roads behind that tractor in the no-passing lane.
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Hi, Kate:
The good thing is that you recognize when you're feeling road rage and know what to do about it and take responsibility for your own reactions.
The bad thing is that other people don't know how to control themselves and blame other people for their own reactions.
Good for you, and thanks for sharing your rage reducers.
April 15, 2009 - 5:48pmThis Comment