Dear Headspace Overcoming Road Rage, with Kessonga
Nov 25, 2025
Kessonga Giscombe, a meditation teacher and mindfulness expert, joins Robin to tackle pressing listener questions. They delve into the intensity of road rage, offering techniques like emotional regulation and safe horn use to manage anger effectively. Kessonga underscores the importance of mindfulness in confronting toxic family dynamics, discussing boundaries and the potential need for distance. They also validate feelings of unhappiness, advocating for professional help and self-exploration through journaling and authentic expression.
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Recalibrate Instead Of Reacting On The Road
- When road rage hits, recognize the anger and choose not to react impulsively in traffic.
- Recalibrate with a deep breath or brief pause instead of escalating the situation further.
Honking, Cursing, Then Pausing In Front Of Kids
- Kessonga shares keeping his hand on the horn and then pausing to breathe and recalibrate in front of his kids.
- He models experiencing the emotion and immediately resetting so his children see real coping skills.
Set An Intention Before You Drive
- Set a clear intention before you start your commute by taking a deliberate breath and naming safe, calm driving.
- Use whatever ritual helps you — prayer, breathing, or intention-setting — to reduce reactivity on the road.