| |
Longer commutes and rising gas prices are adding stress to getting to work or just getting weekly errands done. Don't let traffic stress you out. Here are eight ways to de-stress your commute.
1. Leave earlier in the morning. Don't make yourself a victim of rush hour jams. Strive to arrive an hour or even two hours early, at least one or a few days a week. Use this time to take an energizing walk, and then start work a few minutes early to organize your day's priorities.
2. Leave work later. Postpone your departure time to avoid the usual rush hour snarl, even if just for one or two days a week. Take a course at a nearby community college, or spend an hour at the local library. Plan an after-work get-together with friends once a week to take a break from sitting in traffic.
3. Whittle down your gas bill. Alleviate some of the financial stress that comes with paying higher gas prices by making sure your car is tuned up. Keep tires inflated to the recommended pressure, because under-inflated tires use up more fuel. Replace clogged air filters. Also save gas by lightening up the load in your car trunk.
4. Relax. When you find yourself in unavoidable traffic jams, breathe deeply, in and out for several seconds or even several minutes to calm and focus your attention on the road. Stress is contagious, so don't become an instigator or a victim of road rage on today's already stress-congested highways.
5. Learn. Keep a book-on-tape or book-on-CD to entertain or teach you while you are sitting in traffic. Public libraries have huge selections of histories, motivational recordings, language lessons, business tips, biographies and other topics.
6. Don't talk on your cell phone. Cell phones are becoming an increasing cause of traffic accidents, which is why many cities are banning cell phone talk on the road. Don't do it. In an emergency, pull over and off the highway and come to a complete stop before you make a call.
7. Accept the inevitable. Sometimes unexpected traffic tie-ups can make you late. It's a common denominator among today's commuters, so keep that in mind before you worry that your boss or acquaintance won't understand. Besides, accelerating and braking too much in traffic also uses more fuel. Be accepting (and safe!) instead of stressed.
8. Consider mass transit. Instead of dreading getting behind the wheel, you'll look forward to letting someone else do the driving while you read or plan your day's schedule on paper. Besides, a healthy walk to the bus stop is one more way to make exercise part of your day!
Ruth Klein, America's De-Stress Diva™, is owner of the award-winning firm The Marketing/Time Source. With a master's degree in clinical psychology, Klein, is the author of the best-selling Time Management Secrets for Working Women and five other books on business and lifestyle topics. Sign up to receive Ruth's 7 Part Mini-Course on Branding and Productivity. http://tinyurl.com/25tqo5
 EasyPublish™ this article - publishers click here
More articles by Ruth Klein
- Just Had A Baby? - Now Lose Weight After Childbirth! (Walter Derksen)
If you want to lose weight after childbirth you need to take care of all your needs as a mother. This article helps you to understand what the needs of a new mother are and what needs to be done to help lose weight as well as have a positive outlook on life while raising a child. Suggestions are made to reach those goals as well as direction to more information. - Knee Pain Relief : Football Knee Braces - Protect Your Knees Before Something Bad Can Happen (Daniel Sims)
Playing football means your knees better be pretty darn healthy. If you want to do yourself a favor and protect your knees, or help to reduce current knee pain issues then you better read this article.
|