Commuting: The laid-back approach

How traffic moves is beyond your control. It doesn't matter if you are in a hurry, uptight, or anticipating something at the end of your commute.

So why not relax and go with the flow? The laid-back approach will keep your blood pressure in check and your temper down. Here are some ways to do it:

* Forget paybacks. Reckless drivers you encounter will "get theirs." You've seen it happen. The speeder gets a ticket. The cutoff champ gets wrapped around a tree. They will reap the rewards of their actions.

* See real people. Stay alert by seeing individuals around you rather than just seeing cars. What kind of people are they? What do they do, and where are they going?

* Be considerate. Good drivers are polite on the road. It calms the occasional driver who may be hostile or violent.

* Perk up your commute. Even a small change in routine, like taking a different road part of the time, will make the trip a little more interesting.

How traffic moves is beyond your control. It doesn't matter if you are in a hurry, uptight, or anticipating something at the end of your commute.

So why not relax and go with the flow? The laid-back approach will keep your blood pressure.