by Thomas Mayne

Created on: August 17, 2009   Last Updated: June 10, 2011

Everyday living is stressful enough, especially during the current economic climate when households are struggling to make ends meet. Just getting from A to B can leave a person frazzled and fraught, but you can take the angst out of driving by following these simple steps!

1. Make sure your car is properly maintained! It may seem obvious to say but do give your care a quick check over before you start any long distance trip. Do you have enough fuel and are you aware of where the nearest filling stations along your route are? When did you last check your oil and water levels? Tyre pressure and tread depth are another concern you should address before you start rather than through getting a nasty surprise later on. It may all seem tedious but spending a few extra minutes ensuring your car is kosher before setting off is miles better than being delayed for hours with a broken down car.

2. Know where you're going! Again it may seem slightly obvious but you would be surprised how many people will embark upon a journey to an unfamiliar location without an exact idea of how to get there. If you can’t afford to invest in a GPS or other equally handy gagdets then there are free route planners available online through services such as Google Maps. It is significantly less stressful to have accurate directions than it is to be driving around an unfamiliar area late at night seeking your destination.


3. Don't run late. It is recommended to always leave plenty of time for your journey, factoring both rest stops and possible delays along the way. Top business men are shown to set aside an entire extra week a year as extra time for road trips! Running late increases the pressure you feel while travelling and results in individuals being more like to take risks and be involved in an accident or a road rage incident. It could also encourage an individual to exceed the speed limit which is dangerous and could result in a fine. Another bonus to arriving early is the increased chance of finding a parking space!


4. Play some music! The radio and CDs or even your Ipod can liven up a monotonous journey and make the stressful hack across town more tolerable, its important however to pick the right kind of music. This should be the sort which energizes the driver whilst not distracting him. You want neither stressful heavy metal nor sleep inducing pan pipes. Always remember that driving requires the utmost in concentration so if you feel the music is distraction you should immediately switch it off. The volume level is important too as it is shown that if music is too loud it can increase the levels of stress an individual feel’s. The best volume is one which would allow you to maintain a comfortable conversation with another passenger.

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