{driving on I-395 in Miami}
Two things that annoy me on a daily basis: drivers who tailgate and drivers who drive too slow. Being from California, I’ve learned to drive aggressively and posess a constant level of road rage. I never thought a driver who followed traffic laws existed until I moved to Oregon where the average person makes full 3-second stops, drives below the speed limit, and is shockingly courteous towards other drivers. Now that I’ve lived here for over a year, I admit to some appreciation for the overly-cautious driver though I constantly find myself in a tense, angry state every once in awhile. On my way to work today, I noticed my tight grip on the steering wheel and my frequent glares at a speeding car through my rearview mirrow. I felt my neck muscles tense and head start to feel heavy before I realized that I just needed to relax and BREATHE. Take a deep breath…and another deep breath…then switch to the next lane and simply let the driver go. Breathing sounds like a simple solution to high anxiety situations though plenty of people, including myself, have to remind ourselves to do so. I wanted to attach a video demonstrating the diaphragmatic breathing technique, but the videos online have a cheesy 1980’s vibe. I’ll find one eventually, or make my own.
Tip of the day: Next time you go into anxious or angry mode –remember to breathe!