Calm Amidst Chaos: Bringing Zen to Your Daily Commute

Traffic congestion can be stressful. In a world where we’ve become used to high-speed information, streaming media and online services, any time lost in heavy traffic can send stress levels soaring. And, with roads likely to get extremely busy at peak times during the Holy Month of Ramadan, drivers will face even more stress on the roads.

It’s estimated that drivers in Dubai, the most congested city in the GCC, spend an average of 80 hours – or two full working weeks – stuck in traffic every year. Drivers in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, spend 77 hours in traffic jams annually – while drivers in Riyadh (53) and Abu Dhabi (50) struggle with the daily commute. It’s no wonder we feel glum at the prospect of heading into work.

While there’s not a lot you can do to avoid a traffic jam once you’re in it, you can try some of these tips to help make the dreaded daily commute a less tense, more positive experience.

Listen before you freak

Part of the reason traffic jams are so stressful is the time wasted. Listen to an audiobook or podcast to alleviate boredom and feel more productive. Some titles are so engaging, in fact, that you might just find yourself wishing for bad traffic so you’ll have time for “one more chapter.”

Pulling up a playlist of your favorite, feel-good songs can do equal wonders , with positive results recorded regardless of whether the driver’s switch to calming music was abrupt or gradual. Drivers who made a quick switch to downbeat music showed measurable physiological improvements, showing they calmed down much sooner and made fewer driving mistakes. So, turn up the volume the next time you feel your inner Hulk emerging.

“As we spend more and more time commuting, it’s crucial that our cars are being designed to accommodate the longer periods that we’re spending behind the wheel,” says Jamie Rae, marketing director, Ford Middle East. “Ford uses human-centric design to deliver vehicles that are inviting, accommodating and intuitive. For example, our SYNC™ connectivity and infotainment system offers nifty, hands-free functions like allowing drivers to listen to their texts, change music or climate settings and make phone calls easily with voice control. Our range of driver-assist technologies, like Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection and Semi-Auto Active Park Assist, are also designed to take some of the stress off city driving.”