Nine out of 10 Americans drive alone to and from work, and time spent commuting has tripled in the last two decades. In 2001, traffic delays cost Americans 5.7 billion person hours and $65 billion in lost wages and wasted fuel. The Environmental Protection Agency has launched a campaign to encourage flexible commuting and more carpooling to reduce congestion and pollution.
To combat the traffic crawl Jennifer Lucas, assistant professor of psychology at Agnes Scott College in Atlanta, has developed 10 tips to help commuters cope:
1. When considering a job, drive the route. Even if rush hour is heavy traffic, it’s easier to handle if traffic patterns are predictable. Ask yourself how the commute feels. Research shows stress is strongly related to one’s perception of how tolerable the commute is.
2. Avoid the rush hour. Ask your employer about flextime. Companies can boost productivity and morale with flextime.
3. Avoid the evening rush hour. Studies show that is usually perceived as more stressful because it is seen as cutting into personal time.
4. Find a friend or a group with whom you can carpool. It not only saves on gas and reduces traffic and pollution, it makes the trip more fun.
5. Ask your employer to set up vanpooling.
6. Consider mass transit. It can be much less stressful than commuting in your car.
7. Try telecommuting. Even a few days a week help ease some of the tension, and employers can lower overhead by having employees share office space.
8. Vary your route to avoid burnout. A little variety can lower blood pressure.
9. Make sure your car is comfortable, quiet, has seats with firm back support and indoor air that is filtered.
10. Listen to books on tape or your favorite music to divert your attention from the congestion.
