Final answer:
A "traffic jam when you're already late" described by Alanis Morissette is a 'daily hassle,' which refers to everyday minor irritations that accumulate and lead to stress, influencing both physical and psychological health more than major life changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of Alanis Morissette's lyrics, a "traffic jam when you're already late" is an example of a daily hassle. Although many might assume it to be ironic, a daily hassle refers to the minor irritations and annoyances that we encounter in our everyday lives. These hassles can have a cumulative effect and cause significant stress, similar to or even greater than that caused by major life events. Situations like heavy traffic, misplacing keys, and experiencing delays during your daily commute are all examples of daily hassles. They form part of a broader category of stressors that can compromise our sense of well-being and are shown to be potent predictors of both physical and psychological health problems.
Research has demonstrated that the accumulation of these daily hassles is a more accurate predictor of health issues than significant life changes. For example, a study found that frequent daily hassles had a stronger correlation with physical health problems. In addition, minor hassles, especially those involving interpersonal conflicts, can lead to negative emotional states. Modern problems such as cyber hassles related to social media also contribute to daily stress, thereby affecting our well-being.