Driving anxiety is the coined term that refers to a condition of high alertness, stress, and panic when a person is supposed to drive, or even be driven in a car. This type of anxiety is most common in people who have suffered a traumatic accident, especially if a serious injury is involved. Here are the most useful tips on how to effectively overcome driving anxiety.
Focus on the road
More often than not, anxiety related to driving will often lead you to think ahead to the whole trip, which can be worse than the existing driving anxiety because it leaves a lot of room for you to overthink things and panic even more. This is especially true if you are supposed to go over some parts of the road that are particularly stressful, such as over a bridge, or near a place where you had a car crash that gave you existing driving anxiety. Many people with this condition do plan the route and various devices and check for potential stressors along the way, however, to have the safest drivers, most drivers take the road as it comes.
One of the main reasons why this is important to understand is that this way you will avoid the panic of being taken by surprise if you have to switch routes due to another accident or if the street happens to be closed off. Of course, it’s much easier to say to someone to focus on the road, than it is to do it. This is where mindfulness techniques can come in handy because they will help you focus on the road ahead of you, and they will also get you out of your head, which will ultimately keep you safe.
Professional help
Another great thing that might help is to seek out professional help. Professional help can come in many ways – by taking more lessons, using products that have shown to decrease driving anxiety, or by going to a therapist. Any kind of combination of the three is good as well. If you feel like you need more lessons or even another test – it can be worth looking into some advanced driving courses. This can help you increase your confidence and to get more advice and feedback from a professional driving instructor. Another great thing that can certainly help with any kind of anxiety is therapy.
More specifically, CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) shows great and fast results in treating anxiety. However, most insurances don’t cover the cost of it, and if you don’t have extra cash this might not be an option for you. Luckily, many specialized driving programs can help you achieve stress-free driving, that are a form of therapy, without the extra cost. These driving programs have also shown good results in getting people back to driving and having them feel more confident and less stressed out about the road. They have become increasingly popular in recent years for their effectiveness and low cost.
Prepare your car
If you feel confident enough to start driving on your own again, or at least with somebody else in the car, you should consider a few things in preparation. Most importantly, you should make sure that your car is extremely comfortable and a safe place to be. Some of the ways you can achieve this is firstly clearing and decluttering your car of rubbish. The clutter can get stuck under your feet and behind the pedals, which can make it impossible for you to use them properly. This can of course creates a health hazard.
Next, you should ensure to properly position your seat, and you should make sure that your seat belt is secure and comfortable. Another thing you should pay attention to is if the tires are pumped to the correct pressure. Furthermore, you should keep distracting noises down to a minimum, which will allow you to stay focused on the road. Even though it’s not advised to completely plan out and overthink the route in advance, it might be a good idea to start driving around your neighborhood or near someplace where you feel the most comfortable and where there isn’t a lot of traffic. Ultimately, be sure to give yourself a lot of time.
Driving anxiety doesn’t have to dictate your life, and there are many different resources and tips on how to help anyone overcome it. Since driving is a big part of our daily lives, professional driving lessons, driving programs, and therapy are all the more important in helping people overcome this fear.
