If you tend to feel anxious when driving, it is okay because you are not alone. You are probably experiencing driving anxiety. Sometimes, just the thought of it can make you puke. For some specific cases, crossing bridges or driving in a tunnel can be quite challenging.
What Is Driving Anxiety?
Driving anxiety is the scary thoughts or extreme worries someone experiences when driving. However, the anxiety a particular individual experiences can differ from those who feel anxious when driving. Some people experience it even at the thought of driving, some while driving, and in some cases, driving at a certain route or even using a specific car. One example is when Perodua car drivers drive Proton cars or vice versa due to its signal switch placements.
6 Tips To Overcome Your Driving Anxiety
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Driving anxiety may occur as you reach for the keys to a slow-building dread when you’re on the road and expand to a full-blown panic attack while driving. But luckily, there are a few tips for overcoming your driving anxiety!
1. Root Cause Detection
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You can develop your driving coping skills if you understand the root cause of your anxiety while driving. Examine your triggers, and retrace events that induce your anxiousness. You can also try to determine if the root of it is due to more serious issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If it is due to a serious issue, seek therapy from professionals.
2. Avoidance Is Not The Key!
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If avoidance is your coping method, then don’t. You have to change your coping method to something that works. The fear of driving will be a never-ending cycle. If you can drive away your anxiety, you can drive your car too!
3. Anxiety Stimulants Is A No!
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Well, in this case, avoidance is the key. You have to avoid stimulants like caffeine or nicotine that could drive up your heart rate and blood pressure. This can worsen your anxiousness and your efforts to cope with your driving anxiety will just go down the drain.
4. Mindfulness Ahead
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In order to cope with your anxiety, you can practice mindfulness. Through this, your mind will not just stay alert in the presence, but even your eyes will stay on the road! If you are someone who cannot focus for a long time, then you can improve your attention span through meditation or any other brain exercises.
5. Write It Down
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One way that you can cope with your driving anxiety is by taking notes of your achievements and your mistakes on the road. This can help you avoid past mistakes and also motivate yourself whenever you drive.
6. Emotional Support System
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If you have driving anxiety, bringing your support system can be the biggest help you do to yourself. Whether it is someone who you trust (make sure they trust you too!), your emotional support plush toy, or even your motivational playlists, it can help to keep you on track while driving and your tension will reduce too! You can even talk to them about your worries while driving as it helps you overcome them.
It is not the end of the world if you have driving anxiety and it is okay to experience it. The key to overcoming this is not to be ashamed of it in the first place. Remember, if you are experiencing extreme anxiety while driving, it is best to seek professional help. Check out driving tips during the rainy season if you are afraid of driving in the rain!
