As stress intensifies, commuters are more likely to face aggression or 'road rage'. Here are a few ways to be astute when you commute.

1. Leave 30 minutes earlier than usual. Studies show that the less sense of time urgency or worry about being late that you have, the less stressed out you'll feel during your commute.

2. Juggle work hours to beat peak commute times. Try starting at 10am and finishing at 6pm, or an early start and finish. After work, wait out congestion at a gym near your office or try a yoga class - you'll arrive home relaxed and fresh. Or see if you can work from home some days.

3. Do commuter exercises. When you're gridlocked these will keep you alert and relaxed:

• Press head back against the headrest until neck muscles are tight. Hold for three, relax. Do 10 times.
• Push shoulders down and back against the seat. Hold for three then release. Do 10 times.
• Shift your weight from one buttock to the other while waiting at the lights. And for women it's the perfect time to do your pelvic floor exercises.
• Breathe. We breathe faster and less efficiently when stressed, depriving the body of oxygen and preventing the release of carbon dioxide - impairing cognitive abilities and contributing to panic attacks.

4. Take public transport, which is less stressful than driving. The stress we feel when stopped in a car is a loss of control, but if you're stuck in traffic on a bus you've effectively given up control of your commute and can distract yourself with
a book. Plus there are the health benefits of walking to the train or bus stop and to your office.

5. Try using different roads so you can discover the route with the least stop-and-go hold-ups, such as pedestrian crossings, traffic lights and turns.

6. Lose the race mentality. Drive calmly - weaving and darting rarely gains more than a few minutes but increases stress and uses more petrol.

7. Use gentle distractions. Dr Sarah Edelman recommends listening to relaxing music, tuning in to an interesting radio station or starting to plan a holiday or happy future event.

How do you deal with the stress of commuting each day? Share your tips with other New Idea readers below

And for more health tips from Dr John D'Arcy check out this week's issue of New Idea, on sale now!