How do you remain calm in traffic??

[Minnesota!]

DH and I ride in together in the morning, and usually it is alright, but some days the traffic is so bad it takes forever. And DH has little patience. He starts getting agitated REAL quick.

Any tips on how to relax? I tell him that the traffic is not going to move faster if he screams or gets huffy - all it does is raise his blood pressure.

Please share how you remain calm in rush hour traffic..

Thanks!!

 

[snoopy]

Put a good CD in and crank it up.

I try and listen to reggae music in the morning - I find it upbeat and relaxing.

 

[FOJMO]

Have a good radio station on, put a great CD/Tape in, and sing your little heart out! Releases stress and no one can hear you!

I also keep a magazine on the front passenger seat to page through while at the traffic lights and traffic backups. Sometimes it's the only chance I have to read them!

 

[newmousecateer]

I listen to a talk radio station in the morning that talks about anything and everything. I find myself concentrating on what is being said instead of the traffic.

 

[tkyes]

I hear ya about traffic in the metro area.

I don't know what to tell you though. I have resigned myself to the fact that there is nothing I can do about it. My drive has become so routine I usually just blank it out.

I just listen to a good morning show and the time usually passes by.

Hope you figure something out to calm DH down


Tamie

 

[nativetxn]

We don't really have what I consider traffic here in my part of Mid Michigan, but when I lived in Houston and had to drive back and forth to Spring Branch, I sort of treated the traffic like I treat the crowds at WDW. I knew the traffic was going to be there so I was just "prepared" for the traffic. I left way early in the am so I wouldn't be late and just went with the flow.

I figure if you can't change it you just need to accept it.

Carlos Nakai plays some beautiful and soothing music. Your dh might want to try listening to a Nakai cd or tape during the commute

 

[Kermit]

I think that, as a general rule, men have a harder time being calm in traffic. I know that my DH gets really upset when there's traffic or when someone does something stupid around him. He seems to take it personally.

I just don't let anything bother me. I keep fun CDs in my CD changer (it's in the trunk, so I'm locked into whatever is in there once I start driving). My favorites are kids' CDs with Bible songs and, of course, my Disney CDs. I can usually get DH to join with me in a chorus of There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow. Sometimes he'll even do the motions for Father Abraham with me.

 

[Suzy Mouse]

Think of the positive.
At least you don't have a screaming kid with you!!!
Some days my son gets upset (due to a rough start to our morning)and cries almost for the entire 1/2 ride!!!
I have gotten really good at tuning him out!!
AS long as you're not going to be late...then just enjoy the scenery and the company!!

 

[December99]

I don't have to drive in ALOT of traffic but when we are in Chicago and get caught in the traffic coming home or something, I just sit back and take it at ease. Usually I can look at people around me and that gives me a good laugh - seeing how impatient they are getting, seeing what they are doing, etc. I just figure we are all probably going pretty much to the same place/direction and we will all eventually get there - we just need to take our time so no one gets hurt doing it.

The one thing I think is funny is when someone flies by me and then about 10 to 15 minutes later - they are stopped in traffic and I'm right behind them...I sit and say - see, we ended up in the same place - there was no need to rush! I know people probably think I'm nuts talking to myself but it works for me.

 

[tiggerlover]

I know a woman who keeps bubbles in her car. When she gets stuck in a traffic jam she starts blowing bubbles to relieve the tension.

 

[Dan Murphy]

With some drives here in Chicago literally being hours long, I resort to WGN talk radio (almost like having a vocal DIS CB in the car with me ) CD's in the changer (many Disney ones, as well as many others) and the best, calling a DIS'er or two on my cell.

 

[caitycaity]

traffic just *is* here. you go to the grocery on saturday -- traffic. you go to the movies friday night: traffic. you go out to dinner sunday night: traffic. commuting during the work week: more traffic.

it use dto really bother me when i first started driving in this area, but now i'm pretty much used to it. it's hard to get frustrated all the time when you live with permanent gridlock. there are a couple times when i get frustrated still and then i usually just put some good music in and crank it up.

 

[ryanpatricksmom]

traffic just *is* here. you go to the grocery on saturday -- traffic. you go to the movies friday night: traffic. you go out to dinner sunday night: traffic. commuting during the work week: more traffic.

My answer is

Peapod, Netflix, Takeout Taxi, work 6:30am to 3pm

 

[Dream]

I pop in my favorite cd...crank the volume and sing my heart out!! Yes...I'm one of THOSE people you laugh at at stoplights!!

 

[preshi]

I personally have to smoke and blare my music if Im in traffic or my nerves will be so shot by the time I get here and I'd be horrible woman to be by.

 

[smileybrat]

turn up the radio and sing your head off. that always cheers me up and calms me down.

 

[Rajah]

If it's stop and go, I pull out a book every time we stop. Even if I'm only going to read the same paragraph over and over, I'd rather do that than just SIT there. I *HATE* wasting my time just sitting there. For some reason, it doesn't seem as much of a waste to read the same paragraph over and over.

Or, occasionally I'll have a cross stitch and will pick it up at the stops and set it down at the go's.

If it's just slow moving traffic, I get impatient. Especially if it's on a bridge or something. I start getting claustrophobic or something if I'm trapped in traffic on a bridge or anywhere near a semi.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

I've really had to work on this. I used to get really agitated on the road. Bring along the daily paper, or listen to a good radio show.

Don't look over at other people, just act like they aren't even there.

 

[helenabear]

Where I live, I rarely get caught in any major traffic. If I do though, I usually just mutter to myself for a minute and then turn up the music or call a friend to talk. That usually will do it for me

 

[cinmell]

Keep the cd changer full