14 min
Episode 4 -5 signs of Traffic Stress and Mindfulness TheMindfulWayPodcast
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- Alternative Health
In today’s episode , I will be talking about traffic stress , 5 signs of it and how it’s the best opportunity to practice mindfulness.Traffic Stress is becoming so common that health psychologist David Moxon, identifies a new condition named Traffic Stress Syndrome (TSS).Have you experienced this? Have you ever thought why you feel angry on road and in traffic?Traffic Stress is becoming so common that health psychologist David Moxon, identifies a new condition named Traffic Stress Syndrome (TSS).
Watchout for some signs of traffic stress taking over and how we can be mindful of those signs?
1. Gripping stearing wheel hard to try to overtake someone driving slow with anger. I am not saying that you shouldn't overtake, you can with calm mind and considering safety of yourself and others. But when you catch your brain doing this and you caught that reaction, try to take a deep breath in and exhale. Do this few times and when you feel the calm , overtake with care and wise mind.
2. Changing radio or songs frantically.
We feel stress when stuck in heavy traffic and we have to get somewhere on time - In this scenario try to give your self more time and leave early from home. When stuck in traffic, we can't do anything so feeling anger is not going to help.This can only lead to stress and affect our brains. When you find yourself panicking or changing radio or songs quickly and you caught your behaviour that is the sign of being mindful and now when you become mindful, sit relaxed in your car and focus on vehicles around you. Just observe all your bodily sensations and start breathing mindfully sending your breath to the areas of tensions in your body.
3. Looking at the phone when traffic is dragging. This is another sign of boredom which can soon turn into anger and bad mood.When you find yourself looking for phone - Just try to resist that urge and do something else. Look at all the cars in front of you, observe the sensations in your body. May be you can listen to a good Podcast or Song you like. This can reduce the anxiety. Keep your focus on breathing in and out.
4. Someone else's actions create your reactions - You may feel anger and frustrations if someone behind you is honking or trying to come closer. This is the sign of bullying on road.
But instead of being affected by their behaviour and ruining your mood is not wise. Let them be. It's their mental condition which shouldn't trigger our behaviour. Keep breathing deeply and exhaling reminding your mind that it's ok, I am driving following all the rules and not doing anything to harm anyone. WHen you are mindful of that it can calm your nerves down. If you are someone who is behind the slow driver, then remember it’s not about you, that person could have their own reasons. So take deep breathe and don’t let your rage take over your beautiful mind.
5. Someone shouting at you or showing rude gestures. Again best opportunity to practice mindfulness. If I hadn't found out about mindfulness. I would be the one responding anger with anger. But since I started driving which is in my 30s I leanred to drive so my priority is safety of others and me, even the safety of animals, birds on the roads count. This simple thing is fixed in my mind and this helps me control my behaviour on roads. But slowly I am understanding the inner working of my mind. When I fond myself about to react, I catches my mind and this is the beautiful gift by mindfulness.
Intro and Outro Music by Ilya Truhanovfrom Fugue from https://icons8.com/music/author/ilya-truhanov-1
In today’s episode , I will be talking about traffic stress , 5 signs of it and how it’s the best opportunity to practice mindfulness.Traffic Stress is becoming so common that health psychologist David Moxon, identifies a new condition named Traffic Stress Syndrome (TSS).Have you experienced this? Have you ever thought why you feel angry on road and in traffic?Traffic Stress is becoming so common that health psychologist David Moxon, identifies a new condition named Traffic Stress Syndrome (TSS).
Watchout for some signs of traffic stress taking over and how we can be mindful of those signs?
1. Gripping stearing wheel hard to try to overtake someone driving slow with anger. I am not saying that you shouldn't overtake, you can with calm mind and considering safety of yourself and others. But when you catch your brain doing this and you caught that reaction, try to take a deep breath in and exhale. Do this few times and when you feel the calm , overtake with care and wise mind.
2. Changing radio or songs frantically.
We feel stress when stuck in heavy traffic and we have to get somewhere on time - In this scenario try to give your self more time and leave early from home. When stuck in traffic, we can't do anything so feeling anger is not going to help.This can only lead to stress and affect our brains. When you find yourself panicking or changing radio or songs quickly and you caught your behaviour that is the sign of being mindful and now when you become mindful, sit relaxed in your car and focus on vehicles around you. Just observe all your bodily sensations and start breathing mindfully sending your breath to the areas of tensions in your body.
3. Looking at the phone when traffic is dragging. This is another sign of boredom which can soon turn into anger and bad mood.When you find yourself looking for phone - Just try to resist that urge and do something else. Look at all the cars in front of you, observe the sensations in your body. May be you can listen to a good Podcast or Song you like. This can reduce the anxiety. Keep your focus on breathing in and out.
4. Someone else's actions create your reactions - You may feel anger and frustrations if someone behind you is honking or trying to come closer. This is the sign of bullying on road.
But instead of being affected by their behaviour and ruining your mood is not wise. Let them be. It's their mental condition which shouldn't trigger our behaviour. Keep breathing deeply and exhaling reminding your mind that it's ok, I am driving following all the rules and not doing anything to harm anyone. WHen you are mindful of that it can calm your nerves down. If you are someone who is behind the slow driver, then remember it’s not about you, that person could have their own reasons. So take deep breathe and don’t let your rage take over your beautiful mind.
5. Someone shouting at you or showing rude gestures. Again best opportunity to practice mindfulness. If I hadn't found out about mindfulness. I would be the one responding anger with anger. But since I started driving which is in my 30s I leanred to drive so my priority is safety of others and me, even the safety of animals, birds on the roads count. This simple thing is fixed in my mind and this helps me control my behaviour on roads. But slowly I am understanding the inner working of my mind. When I fond myself about to react, I catches my mind and this is the beautiful gift by mindfulness.
Intro and Outro Music by Ilya Truhanovfrom Fugue from https://icons8.com/music/author/ilya-truhanov-1
14 min