Taking a road trip? Ways to De-Stress

Our family loves going to Colorado for vacation. It’s so beautiful up there and the air is fresh and clean and it is perfect for camping. It’s quiet a drive from Houston, 23 hours to be exact. Ahhh mom, dad, and three young children, it can stress a body out! I was reading an article in Women’s World magazine yesterday, by Christina DeLalla, that reminded me of those days. Here’s what it said: Don’t let the driving part be the worst part of the trip. Here are some helpful tips.

1) Turn on the air conditioner even if it’s not particularly hot out: Studies show we’re most calm and content when we’re feeling cool. In fact, a recent British study found that the hotter it gets in a car, the more aggressive and irritable toward each other people inside the car become. Lucy’s note: If you are driving and having a hard time staying awake the cool air will do the trick. Warm air will put you to sleep.

2) Pack the snack that calms everyone down: “Carb-rich foods like popcorn and crackers help boost serotonin levels in the brain,” says dietitian Elisabeth Weber, helping everyone stay happy! “Just make sure to get the low-salt variety-otherwise, it can make people too thirsty and uncomfortable.”

3) Have a sing-along: It’s fun for a reason-studies show it triggers the production of endorphins, the brain chemicals that generate pleasurable feelings. It also stimulates circulation, which helps prevent the muscle spasms and aching joints that can be triggered by sitting in a cramped space for a long time, says pediatrician Terry Shields, M.D. Lucy’s note: My kids enjoyed singing in the car and now I know why it was good for them.

4) Play the game that stops carsickness: If kids complain about feeling carsick, play the car game “ I Spy,” where someone in the car describes and object they see on the horizon and everyone else tries to guess what it is. “When you’re in a car, your inner ear tells your brain you’re moving – but if you’re focused inside the car, your brain thinks you’re standing still; it’s this mixed signal that makes people nauseous,” explains Dr. Shields. But keeping your eyes focused outside the car – by playing “I Spy”- helps keep carsickness at bay. Lucy’s Note: I have personal experience on this one. When I was young, I would get terribly car sick. As I have grown older it is not that bad, but I still can’t read a map for more than a few seconds before I start to feel nauseous. I immediately look for something outside the car to reverse the feeling. It really does work.

5) “Read” while you drive: Can’t agree on music? Put in a book on CD/tape from your library. Studies show that listening to books in the car actually makes the time pass faster, since it requires concentration – and that’s not all: Studies show it reduces stress. Lucy’s Note: Several years ago I went to visit my daughter in Denver. My husband had given me a couple of “books on tape” to listen to while I was driving. The time really does go faster and I enjoyed listening to them. It really is a good idea.

6) Hang the right air freshener: Before you hit the road, put a citrus or potpourri scented air freshener in your car. Research shows the scents make people happier and help them get along better – in one study, the scent of potpourri cut arguments between people in half!

7) Start out on a Thursday: Many of us like to get a headstart on our weekends, which makes Friday afternoon a busy time to drive. And it’s also a dangerous time to be in the car: According to a study by Progressive Insurance most car accidents occur between 3pm. and 6pm. on Fridays. The fewest crashes occur on Thursday mornings, so if you can get a jump on the weekend, you can avoid traffic and lower you risk of trouble.