Driving Yourself Sane – How to Stay in a Good Mood Even in Traffic
It is easy to work yourself into a bad mood during a commute. Bumper-to-bumper traffic, discourteous drivers, people who are not paying any attention — the list goes on. Instead of working yourself into a bad mood before you even start your day, you can avoid getting to the point of frustration. But what are some of the ways you can put a smile on your face before you even get to the office?
Take Your Time – For many of us, a lot of frustration comes from dreading being late. You rush out the door with barely enough time to make it to a 9 a.m. meeting, and wouldn’t you know it, that is the day that traffic is backed up for miles. You’ll never make it to the meeting on time!
That’s a recipe for a bad mood for anyone. So instead of rushing to get out of the door, allow yourself more time in the morning to get where you need to be. This means you have to wake up earlier, and therefore you’ll likely have to go to bed earlier, too. Trust me, it is totally worth it. Who knows, maybe by giving yourself the extra time in the morning will give you the patience to deal with traffic.
Eat some Breakfast – Since you’re getting up earlier anyway, you might as well take the time to eat breakfast. Starting the day with a little energy can do a lot for your mood. One of the best ways to get you going in the morning is by having a healthy breakfast.
I don’t know about you, but I when I skip breakfast, by the time lunch rolls around I feel lethargic and can’t concentrate on anything but my next meal. However, if you wake up and eat breakfast, you might also have time to pack your lunch – a great way to save some extra cash.
Bottom line: if you have something in your belly, chances are likely that you won’t be grumpy on your way to work, making the commute much easier to deal with.
Turn the Radio On – I love music. I have songs that put me in a great mood – no matter what. Sometimes I listen to news radio in the morning, but lately, I’ve found that when I get my day started with happy songs it makes me smile despite what the traffic throws my way.
On that note, traffic isn’t just a hassle in the morning. A great mix of feel good songs to put you in a good mood at the end of the day is a important, too. Music will make the commute easier – no matter which way you’re going.
- Lisa
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