“It is the things that you cannot do anything about and the things that you cannot do anything with, that do something to you.”  Richard Rohr

Managing my emotions during my daily commute still takes practice.  I’m not a driving enthusiast.  It’s something I do out of necessity.  Over the years I’ve experienced my share of “highway unpleasantries” and created a few of my own.  Being a “shared space,” the roads and highways became the platform that amplified my deficiencies in patience, tolerance, understanding, mindfulness, and consistent good judgement.

Overtime I realized that rather than endure my commute, I had to find a way to diffuse anger & frustration, exercise measured responses to “road idiots” and reduce my overall stress level while driving.  It all boiled down to managing my emotions and changing a few things in my immediate environment that I had could control.

Besides the usual, slow down, give yourself extra time, avoid rush hour traffic whenever you can, take the service roads, find alternate routes with less commuters and stay off the expressway, I have a few tips of my own.

Aromatherapy!  That’s right.  I purchased an aromatherapy car diffuser and lavender is diffused during the entire trip.  One of the benefits of lavender is it reduces anxiety and emotional stress.  As a result I’m much calmer.

Practice courtesy.  Make allowance for the person who’s trying to merge in front of you in the lane.  After all, it’s only a matter of time before you’ll need the same courtesy extended to you.

Avoid negative media and programs.  Turn off political debates, news, and any broadcasts that recycle fear, mayhem and drama.  SIRIUS XM has multiple options.  Tune in to comedy, lite music or one of the positive uplifting messages from Joel Osteen.

Breathe.   Periodically take a few deep breaths, it’s  calming and reduces anxiety.   Tension in our bodies can sometimes be related to stressful thoughts and emotions.

Pray.  Before leaving home my prayer is “God surround me with safe drivers who compensate for me as I compensate for them.  Thank you!”

I’ve personally benefitted from these simple practices.  Perhaps one or two, will do the same for you.