Don’t count to ten

An important rule for drivers is not to get behind the wheel when they have a lot on their mind or feel angry.

Apparently, being in control of a vehicle when you’re mulling over your problems or feel like punching something is not a good idea – it could end in you being involved in a crash.

So, how do you avoid feelings of worry and anger as a driver?

Well, I can’t help you with the worry – do some yoga or create your own Zen garden or something – but Ohio State University scientists have discovered a way of dealing with anger.

After conducting tests on a group of students, the research team found that counting to ten is one of the worst things you can do in an attempt to deal with rage.

The professor of communication and psychology at Ohio State, explains, “The worst thing to do in an anger-inducing situation is what people normally do: try to focus on their hurt and angry feelings to understand them.

“If you focus too much on how you're feeling, it usually backfires.

“It keeps the aggressive thoughts and feelings active in your mind, which makes it more likely that you'll act aggressively.”

Reportedly, the secret is to have a detached view of your anger. 

Sounds like years of training at some secret facility up in snowy mountains to me…I think I’ll just buy a stress-ball and get taxis to places for a while.

Labels: anger, crash, driver, vehicle, wheel, worry