How To Overcome Anger And Road Rage

Recently it was reported that a 41 year old driversomeone a break. Don't take it personally or think
was shot because he pulled into the exact changesomeone is out to get you.
lane and a driver was angry with him for hisGaining perspective is very important and I also
slowness? Yikes it is terrible to read about thisremember that I won't be thinking about this
and so sad the desperation and daily blow upssituation an hour from now and it is going to pass.
that occur. This can happen alot when someoneIt is not permanent, you won't see these people
drives slowly in left lane, sees a tailgater oragain and it is temporary. You may ride this road
watches someone else steal a parking space.daily to work but you don't even see the same
Why else do we have road rage reactions?people.
Seeing someone ignore a traffic sign, excessiveI'll breathe in slowly and exhale twice as slowly.
honking, watching someone on their cell phoneThis helps to calm the mind and is a good tool for
who is oblivious to traffic patterns and excessivestress control and staying centered. Relaxing
speeding are other reasons. We even feel angermusic is calming and also using audio tapes on
growing inside of us as we see others beingbooks or self-help lessons are great ways to use
aggressive on the highway. What does that ell us?the driving time for self-growth.
The truth is that when people are doing theseThere is no point in getting into a state while
activities they are already themselves in need ofdriving where you are sweating, have stomach
an anger management strategy, but it's a chaincramps, look glaringly at others or have your
reaction then where observers around them getheart racing. Just bring yourself back to your own
enraged as well by having to be subject to thesebreathing and how this situation isn't worth
behaviors. Is there a way to gain more controlstressing over.
over our reactions that are the common cause ofRoad rage can be helped with anger management
road rage? Can we stay calm if someone isskills , techniques and tips so that your day is not
making an obscene gesture on the highway? Whycarrying these dark feelings but you instead learn
do we take things so personally when they areskills that keep you balanced and can make you a
from a stranger?more harmonious person in all situations.
As a therapist, I find that seeing the highway as aIt is so worthwhile to cultivate because if you
time to view one's mind with humor and tomaster this, you also master other situations such
practice compassion and patience is a very goodas a friend being late, a child picking on his
habit to get into. I'll try to think about the factyounger brother or a significant other raising his or
that people are struggling with fears of being late,her voice. This is a true skill you can carry with
family tensions or job issues and this contributesyou everywhere.
to poor and inattentive driving. I try to give