Dec 28 2009
10 Ways to Reduce Commuting Stress
Do you get out of your automobile with a queasy abdomen, a headache and your blood pressure registering through the roof? If you do, that energy vulture called stress may have sent your pulse skyrocketing. In a study conducted at the University of California at Irvine, researchers found that the stress of commuting takes a serious toll on health. Consistent with the study, it has direct physiological effects of raising blood pressure and releasing stress hormones into the body. Not only that, long commutes (more than 18 miles one means) might additionally increase the likelihood of having a heart attack due to exposure to high levels of air pollutants, that appears to be a risk factor for heart disease.
Though there is no antidote to stressful commuting, there are tons of ways that to shoo off the energy vulture. Here’s a way to thrive whereas you drive.
1. Prepare earlier
One in every of the best ways in which to lessen the strain of road rage is to prepare everything the night before. Garments, documents, attache cases, and even packed lunches should be set the day before to avoid the morning rush. With everything champing at the bit, you’d save plenty of your time to try to to your morning routines, devour a smart breakfast and get pleasure from special moments with the family. Better of all, you’ll dash out the highway free of traffic congestion.
2. Sleep well and get up early
A smart night’s sleep rejuvenates the body. Build it a habit to own enough sleep and to rise early. If you’re already stressed out the day before, an incomplete repose takes over cumulative stress effects into your life at work and at home. Your frustration levels at work eventually rises, your brainpower falters, and your mood at home sours. You’ve got no energy left for enjoying life.
3. Juggle your work hours
Why pack the freeways with all the opposite “nine-to-5″ers when you can attempt a 10-to-six or an eight-to-four shift? Depending on your company’s work policy, strive to test out other shifts that match your lifestyle. Select one that would facilitate your lose energy-depleting stress and allow you to lighten your highway woes.
4. Share your ride
It could be a hassle to coordinate your arrival and departure with another person or 2, however carpooling is worth it. Studies show that ridesharing lowers commuter stress significantly. With carpooling, there is less air and noise pollution, less holdup, and you’ll relax a lot of while somebody else will the driving.
5. “Cocoon” in your car
Instead of getting worked up when traffic is at a standstill, utilize some time wisely. Hear the radio or pop in some music tapes to require your mind off the stop-and-go driving and traffic tie-ups. If you wish to read but just can’t have time to flip pages of a book, take a look at books on cassette. Many libraries have full-length books on tape furthermore abridged versions. You can even learn a replacement language or do some automotive exercises like shoulder rolls, neck extensions and tummy tucks to assist you keep awake and relax.
6. Pillow your back and squirm
When you are standing, the lumbar space of your spine (the lower portion) normally curves inward, toward your abdomen. But, when you are sitting, it tends to slump outward squeezing your spinal disks and putting stress on them. Consistent with back professional Malcolm Pope, Ph.D.,director of the Iowa Spine Analysis Center at the University of Iowa, it helps to support your back by tucking a rolled towel or a pillow in that lumbar section. In cases of longer drives, since sitting in one position for extended than fifteen minutes gradually stiffens you even with a back pillow, create necessary adjustments for a cozy ride. For example, you’ll try putting most of your weight on one buttock and then the other. Then, shift the position of your seat or your buttocks slightly. You’ll even attempt sliding down in your seat and stay up once more for fun.
7. See once work
Since the evening rush is worse than the morning rush because of the compounded fatigue from the workday, it is best to attend out the traffic. Work out at a gym close to your workplace or take meditation categories to alleviate your stress. If you propose to go to dinner, see a movie or go looking, try to do these items close to work, delaying your departure enough to miss the maddening rush.
8. Provide yourself a chance
It may be a good plan to allow yourself some time off from work. Many corporations nowadays provide compressed working hours or longer working days to present manner to figure-free days for you to unwind.
9. Move your workplace
If your job could be a long drive ahead everyday, inquire at work if the company would permit you to work at home some days of the week or if you’ll work close to your place. An alternative work schedule would make you’re feeling less tense and in control thereby reducing stress.
10. Occasionaly modification your routine
An occasional amendment of commuting habits could be advisable too. Strive walking or bicycling typically for a change. There’s nothing like a good walk to ease tension particularly when it suggests that you do not have to induce in your automobile and fight rush hour traffic.
By lessening the strain of obtaining to work, you are conserving enormous amounts of energy that may be lost over stressful commuting. It doesn’t solely leave you numerous additional energy to do your job and become more productive however it conjointly makes you are feeling smart and gives you a good reason to invariably begin your day right.
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