How to Manage Feelings of Road Rage

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsReasons We Feel Road RageRisks of Road RageHow to Manage Road RageTakeaway

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Reasons We Feel Road Rage

Risks of Road Rage

How to Manage Road Rage

Takeaway

Nobody likes traffic, and if you spend a lot of time driving, you are likely no stranger to the feeling that every other driver on the road is the worst, and specifically out to ruin your day. Maybe you’ve even entertained the fantasy of forcing another driver off the road.Our roads are often crowded, there are in fact lots of bad drivers out there, and driving large hunks of metal at very fast speeds is inherently dangerous. Sometimes, this leads to road rage, which can be a scary situation for everyone on the road.At a GlanceRoad rage is when a driver is engaged in particularly reckless or dangerous behavior behind the wheel. This can include things like speeding, tailgating, swerving, cutting you off, or even giving you the finger if they feel you have wronged them in some way.If you find yourself falling prey to your own road rage, try deep breathing exercises, find positive distractions like a podcast, and explore anger management strategies to help you deal with your emotions. And if someone is raging at or near you, steer clear and don’t engage.Reasons We Feel Road RageInside our cars, it’s easy to feel isolated from the world and forget that there are other people with different priorities. That can cause us to be far less polite to one another while driving than we would be if we met in person and had to face each other on a more personal level. This phenomenon is similar to how people may interact with much more hostility on social media than they might in person.Additionally, when we’re all frustrated with traffic, sometimes people make mistakes or pull impolite driving maneuvers, which can lead to anger from other frustrated drivers and create a cascade of hostility. This often results in road rage, which can pose a significant threat to health and safety for everyone on the road.Anger Issues: Take the TestRisks of Road RageRoad rage and hostile driving may be common, but that doesn’t make it safe. Road rage may make us more prone to accidents, but there are other risks as well.People experiencing road rage may faceincreased health risksthat come from high levels of stress, tension, and anger. These episodes ofacute stressmay becomechronic stress, which leads to many negative health outcomes.In addition to the toll stress takes on the “rager’s” body, the increased risk of a car accident due to road rage puts all drivers at risk.Moreover, some incidents have become violent as a result of everyday road rage that escalated out of control.By being a courteous and defensive driver, you can cut down the level of frustration you might cause other drivers, doing your part in keeping road rage at bay. But if you yourself experience road rage, here are some techniques you can use to stay calm in the car:How to Manage Road RageFortunately, there are some things you can do to manage your anger and reduce the risk of experiencing road rage. If you struggle to stay calm during your commute, consider trying some of the following strategies.BreatheBreathing exercisescan help you cleanse your body of stagnant air and stale energy, getting your blood more oxygenated and, of course, releasing tension. Focusing on your breathing brings your attention inward and makes frustrations seem more removed, without taking your focus too far away from the road.ListenListen tomusic, podcasts, or audiobooks. Music can subtly color your experiences, adding an exciting soundtrack to your commute. Audiobooks or podcasts can provide a mild distraction that can make your drive enjoyable enough that you find annoying drivers and bumper-to-bumper traffic less frustrating.RelaxPracticeprogressive muscle relaxation (PMR)anddeep muscle relaxation (DMR). When you’re frustrated, you store the tension in your body. These techniques will help you learn to quickly release the tension you’re carrying, even as you sit in the car, which will help you feel more physically and emotionally relaxed.PlayUse cognitive-behavioral interventions like Counting Idiots. Basically, if you accept that a certain amount of people are going to make fools of themselves on the road, and decide to make a game out of counting them, you can cut down on the stress you feel in response to their rude maneuvers.PlanManage your time wisely. Often, when we’re frustrated on the road, it’s because we’re in a hurry and can’t get there quickly enough because of traffic. Organizing your schedule so you can leave earlier, and planning for traffic, can leave you feeling more relaxed because it really won’t matter as much if the trip takes a few extra minutes.TakeawayExperiment with these techniques as well as othertension tamers. By practicing effective anger and stress management, you should find your driving time to be more pleasurable and your commutes safer, no matter what the other drivers on the road are doing.

Our roads are often crowded, there are in fact lots of bad drivers out there, and driving large hunks of metal at very fast speeds is inherently dangerous. Sometimes, this leads to road rage, which can be a scary situation for everyone on the road.

At a GlanceRoad rage is when a driver is engaged in particularly reckless or dangerous behavior behind the wheel. This can include things like speeding, tailgating, swerving, cutting you off, or even giving you the finger if they feel you have wronged them in some way.If you find yourself falling prey to your own road rage, try deep breathing exercises, find positive distractions like a podcast, and explore anger management strategies to help you deal with your emotions. And if someone is raging at or near you, steer clear and don’t engage.

At a Glance

Road rage is when a driver is engaged in particularly reckless or dangerous behavior behind the wheel. This can include things like speeding, tailgating, swerving, cutting you off, or even giving you the finger if they feel you have wronged them in some way.If you find yourself falling prey to your own road rage, try deep breathing exercises, find positive distractions like a podcast, and explore anger management strategies to help you deal with your emotions. And if someone is raging at or near you, steer clear and don’t engage.

If you find yourself falling prey to your own road rage, try deep breathing exercises, find positive distractions like a podcast, and explore anger management strategies to help you deal with your emotions. And if someone is raging at or near you, steer clear and don’t engage.

Inside our cars, it’s easy to feel isolated from the world and forget that there are other people with different priorities. That can cause us to be far less polite to one another while driving than we would be if we met in person and had to face each other on a more personal level. This phenomenon is similar to how people may interact with much more hostility on social media than they might in person.

Additionally, when we’re all frustrated with traffic, sometimes people make mistakes or pull impolite driving maneuvers, which can lead to anger from other frustrated drivers and create a cascade of hostility. This often results in road rage, which can pose a significant threat to health and safety for everyone on the road.

Anger Issues: Take the Test

Road rage and hostile driving may be common, but that doesn’t make it safe. Road rage may make us more prone to accidents, but there are other risks as well.

People experiencing road rage may faceincreased health risksthat come from high levels of stress, tension, and anger. These episodes ofacute stressmay becomechronic stress, which leads to many negative health outcomes.

In addition to the toll stress takes on the “rager’s” body, the increased risk of a car accident due to road rage puts all drivers at risk.

Moreover, some incidents have become violent as a result of everyday road rage that escalated out of control.

By being a courteous and defensive driver, you can cut down the level of frustration you might cause other drivers, doing your part in keeping road rage at bay. But if you yourself experience road rage, here are some techniques you can use to stay calm in the car:

Fortunately, there are some things you can do to manage your anger and reduce the risk of experiencing road rage. If you struggle to stay calm during your commute, consider trying some of the following strategies.

Breathe

Breathing exercisescan help you cleanse your body of stagnant air and stale energy, getting your blood more oxygenated and, of course, releasing tension. Focusing on your breathing brings your attention inward and makes frustrations seem more removed, without taking your focus too far away from the road.

Listen

Listen tomusic, podcasts, or audiobooks. Music can subtly color your experiences, adding an exciting soundtrack to your commute. Audiobooks or podcasts can provide a mild distraction that can make your drive enjoyable enough that you find annoying drivers and bumper-to-bumper traffic less frustrating.

Relax

Practiceprogressive muscle relaxation (PMR)anddeep muscle relaxation (DMR). When you’re frustrated, you store the tension in your body. These techniques will help you learn to quickly release the tension you’re carrying, even as you sit in the car, which will help you feel more physically and emotionally relaxed.

Play

Use cognitive-behavioral interventions like Counting Idiots. Basically, if you accept that a certain amount of people are going to make fools of themselves on the road, and decide to make a game out of counting them, you can cut down on the stress you feel in response to their rude maneuvers.

Plan

Manage your time wisely. Often, when we’re frustrated on the road, it’s because we’re in a hurry and can’t get there quickly enough because of traffic. Organizing your schedule so you can leave earlier, and planning for traffic, can leave you feeling more relaxed because it really won’t matter as much if the trip takes a few extra minutes.

Experiment with these techniques as well as othertension tamers. By practicing effective anger and stress management, you should find your driving time to be more pleasurable and your commutes safer, no matter what the other drivers on the road are doing.

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