How to Deal With Getting Stuck in a Traffic Jam
Traffic jams cost American society more than $100 billion annually and according to an analysis done by the Texas Transportation Institute, drivers spend an average of about 62 hours sitting in traffic each year. Traffic wastes both gas---the stop-and-go driving reduces fuel mileage---and time. When you're stuck in a traffic jam, there isn't much you can do about the gas aspect, but you can take advantage of this time by either doing something fun or productive.
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Instructions
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Turn on your local news and traffic station to hear what is causing the traffic jam. It may ease your mind to learn that the cause is a minor accident a few miles up the road and that your delay will be fairly brief.
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Create a music list in advance of a potential traffic situation. Play feel-good music that you can sing along to. This will help you change to a more positive state and make the slow drive more bearable.
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Buy a motivational CD to play when you are sitting in a traffic jam to improve your attitude. If you are in a learning program, purchase instructional audio CDs to brush up on your skills.
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Call someone for a long conversation. This might be the perfect time to call a grandparent or an estranged friend that you've been meaning to get back in touch with. If at all possible, avoid a long call that will stress you out even more than you already are due to the traffic (such as a customer service call). Keep your eyes on the road.
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Place a battery operated back massager on your seat. Switch it on when you're stuck in traffic to help ease tension in your back and spine.
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Eat something. Keep a few energy bars, packages of candy, or a healthy snack in your glove compartment so you can pull it out for a bite. Keep a couple of bottles of water in your car, too.
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Take a detour if the traffic is unusually bad one day. Get off at the next exit and look for a coffee shop or restaurant where you can sit down and have a drink or something to eat for an hour or two before getting back on the road.
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Tips & Warnings
If you use your cell phone while driving, make sure that you use a Bluetooth or headset for safety (and to stay consistent with local or state laws).
