geo gia health

I started practicing mobile massage therapy when I realized what a downer it is to get back in traffic after just spending so much time and money having your stress worked out.

Traffic is inevitable in Los Angeles. Getting stuck in it is also a given. Letting that destroy your peace of mind and physical state is certainly difficult to avoid, but something I had to learn how to do quickly if I was going to offer mobile services.

So here are my tips to LA traffic sanity and still getting where you need to be on time:

• Breathe.

I know this is the most obvious, but also the most important. When everything starts to tense up in your shoulders and your neck is shooting forward and your eyes are bulging out of your head, remember to breathe deeply and slowly.

• Make a decision between the freeway or surface streets and stick with it.

Switching between the two as certain points seem to be loosening up will only cost you more time and make you more aggravated. Also, there generally doesn’t seem to be too much difference in overall time it takes to get places via surface streets and freeways during rush hour. It’s a matter of trading streetlights for brake lights. There’s no need to stress that you made the wrong decision.

• Put slow or really happy music on.

Music has a huge effect on our emotional state. Listening to angry music or the radio with lots of commercials will most likely aggravate you more. (Some people recommend listening to books on tape or language tapes. Making this time productive certainly can’t hurt!)

• Rub your own shoulders, arms and neck when you’re stopped.

Physically reminding yourself to release tension in these areas will reduce your stress level and remind you to breathe.

• Keep healthy snacks close.

Having celery, string cheese, an apple or nuts for that drive can help alleviate the post work hunger that can add to your stress level. Water is also a great thing to keep at hand all the time!

• Adjust the way you sit with cushions or pillows.

Adding some support for your lumbar region can help relieve stress on your lower back. It will also help prevent you from leaning to one side in the car.

Finally, just remember it’s out of your control. All you can do is try to leave early enough to avoid it, or leave enough time to make it through. Since that doesn’t always work out, try to avoid the immediate clenching reaction and focus on enjoying the details of some small pocket of this city you might never have noticed before.

And of course, drive safely!