Road Rage! Aromatherapy Can Help

Road rage! It's all too easy to get caught up in one of the biggest storms of stress. The one place where we really need a tranquil moment is on the road. Unfortunately, that's where Dr. Jekyll takes over. We become angry, aggressive, and abusive.

When we get behind the wheel, we're in complete control of our vehicle. No criticism or backseat driving is allowed. Criticism is taken personally - whether it's our driving skills, cooking skills, or anything else. When we take something personally, we go on the defensive. We shout, ridicule, deny, and denigrate. Or we become remote and distant and cold. The silent treatment is a good punisher.

It's Always the Other Guy

It starts with aggressive driving. Again, we're in control. And we always see ourselves in the best possible light. We're always right. Have you ever noticed when you're telling a friend about an argument you had with someone, how your voice changes when you're relating what was said? Your voice takes on a moronic, condescending tone when you're "quoting" the other person and changes to a calm and reasonable tone when "quoting" yourself.

If we get cut off, we have to punish and teach someone a lesson. If we cut someone off, we feel superior - the other person is always the problem.

What Else?

We have to share the road with all sorts of drivers - new and inexperienced drivers, drivers who have pulled all-nighters and are tired, drunk drivers, and distracted drivers on cell phones. As our roads get more congested, it's easy to become aggressive behind the wheel. Our commute time gets longer, nerves get frazzled and those with short fuses are going to blow!

Aromatherapy can help reduce the problems of road rage. How, you ask? Well, for centuries the aromas from various herbs, flowers and plants have been used to heal a multitude of ailments and dysfunctions in the body. Essential oils contain the life force of the plant. Plants and humans are sustained by the same life force.

You might want to use aromatherapy air fresheners or aromatherapy car diffusers which you can simply plug into your vehicle's cigarette lighter. An aromatherapy car diffuser is going to become your new best friend.

A Quick Tip

Here's a do-it-yourself aromatherapy tool to help eliminate your road rage. Buy a small plastic set of salt and pepper shakers with screw top lids. Inside each shaker place a piece of cotton with a few drops of your favorite relaxing essential oil added. Shake and seal. Keep one in your glove compartment and one in your pocket or handbag.

Here are some calming aromatherapy essential oils you might like to try: lavender, chamomile, ylang ylang, or geranium.

Other Techniques

In addition to aromatherapy, you might try some simple breathing techniques to help calm you down.

• Take a slow, deep breath for a count of ten
• Hold it for a count of ten
• Exhale slowly for a count of ten
• Rinse and repeat

This will help lower your blood pressure and, together with your aromatherapy car diffuser, will bring about calmness and tranquility.

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