Shelton Kartun is the founder and CEO of The Anger and Stress Management Center.

For many residents of Melkbos and surrounds the time-consuming commute to the city is a cause of great stress. Shelton Kartun, CEO of The Anger and Stress Management Center in West Beach, gives pointers on how to handle this.

1. It all starts with one’s perception, says Kartun, who is known as the ‘guru’ of anger management. “It is a perception or a trigger that takes a person into an emotional state.”
2. Take note of what your perception of your daily commute is, since stress and anger are linked.
3. “People have to learn to accept things they can’t change. ‘It is what it is’ is a popular buzzword at the moment. Let it go,” advises Shelton. “Even if you have to talk yourself into doing so.”
4. Turn up the music to distract yourself.
5. Do deep breathing, even if you’re simply sighing in exasperation. Getting worked up won’t make the traffic disappear. Try to chill. Both stress and anger generate adrenalin; the strategy is not to let adrenalin be released. Remember, losing your temper is losing control.
6. Frustration has to do with a sense of having no control. Try to take control of your commute.  Can you leave earlier or later, or change your route?

According to Kartun 92% of people in the workplace report experiencing high levels of stress. He advises people to take the proverbial ten minutes out when situations are stressful. Due to the demands of work and the time-consuming commute many people give up on exercise and eventually burn out. Kartun urges couch potatoes to do at least 20 minutes of exercise three times a week. “It is a great de-stressor and it gets the heart rate up. It’s what the doctor advises.”

Contact Shelton Kartun at www.angerstress.com or at 27 Arundel Road, West Beach.