Top tips for tackling road rage

Many drivers in the UK have felt the ill effects of 'road rage' during their commute. It's usually the most time-consuming (and by far the most frustrating) journey of the day.

But did you know that commuter stress can cause short-term memory loss? No, really. This, along with a bad mood, increased blood pressure and muscle tension have been proven to be heightened by driving.

If this sounds like you, there are plenty of ways you can keep your cool behind the wheel – all you need to do is make a few simple tweaks to your daily routine.

To learn more about tackling frustrations, we asked anger and stress management trainer Dr Dawn Sant from Emotional Matters for her top tips.

Beat the rat race

The first thing to do before you begin your commute is to check for the best route. As Dr Sant says, you want to “find out the best rat runs to beat the rat race."

A useful app for seeing how busy your route is in real-time is Google Maps. Not only does it show your expected journey time, it also accounts for factors that could potentially derail your usual commute, such as roadworks, diversions and speed limit restrictions.

If you’re eager to beat the bottlenecks before reaching the final mile of your journey, Dr Sant advises switching up your commute. “Break patterns of behaviour by incorporating more activity into your daily commute.

For example, shorten your car journey by checking out different places to park that incorporate a walk through a park or along a canal. Or, simply park further away from work and walk the rest of the way to boost your step count."

Drive distraction-free

If you’re expecting a chock-a-block journey to work, you should try to de-stress before you even get in your car. Little niggles like arriving bang on time can increase anxiety prior to getting behind the wheel, while checking your emails during the journey isn't a good idea either.

Before you set off

Dr Sant recommends a few life hacks before heading out on the road. The first is to plan your meals and outfits the night before – this way you can quickly grab your keys and leave without any last-minute flapping.

Getting a good night’s sleep (between 7-9 hours is recommended) is also important as it will help you stay alert and clear-headed when stuck in traffic.

Finally, set up your phone so it synchronises to your car (if the vehicle has this feature) or buy a phone holder so you can make hands-free calls during your commute.

On the road

When you’re ready to get going, turn on radio traffic updates or download a traffic app so you can spot problem areas before you reach them.

It might seem obvious, but play something you can easily relax to in the car. Whether it’s your favourite radio station, an audiobook or your own playlist, giving yourself something enjoyable to listen to will help you focus on the road.

Dr Sant also suggests listening to classical music because "it is known to lower blood pressure and anxiety levels.” Studies suggest it can make you smarter (known as the ‘Mozart Effect’) too.

Learn from previous journeys

Once you’ve completed your commute and returned home, it's easy to feel anxious about your next journey. According to Dr Sant, the worst thing you can do is let a bad journey get you down (otherwise you’re destined the repeat the same frustrations).

"Think through your commute – at what time did you start to feel frustrated? Where are the most problematic areas of your commute?

If you notice the same patterns of behaviour, switch it up. Try back roads, leave at a different time, choose a different car park. If you can think of any ways to avoid the busiest parts of your rush hour, put them into practice."