Tips for reducing stress while driving
Sometimes it is inevitable not to stress while driving, because on the highway there are many factors that can be sources of stress, for example, almost all people have experienced stress during peak hours where traffic is obstructed, especially if you have an urgent commitment and want to arrive on time, this usually makes people go out of their boxes.
In addition, stress is a negative emotion that does not come by itself; Most of the time it is accompanied by emotions that alter the mood and the way of behaving of a person this becomes a potential danger when driving in traffic.
For example, we have all seen at some point how people in a state of anxiety behave behind the wheel, this can generate accidents because they tend to drive aggressively or can cause panic attacks. In its most serious condition, this fear can lead to a disorder that psychology knows with the term amaxophobia (phobia of cars or fear of driving).
With 33% of drivers worldwide suffering from this fear to some extent, women are more likely to develop this phobia. Learn how to lower your risk of getting into a car accident.
How to overcome driving anxiety?
First you have to have willingness and willingness to overcome your fears
It is essential to be aware of your condition and want to really overcome it. Because it is an emotional state, purely, the person must feel confident and that will give him the confidence he needs to be able to overcome the disorder.
In
order to be able to treat this phobia it is very important to determine where your fear came from and what caused it in the first place. Do the exercise alone or with someone you trust and try to watch carefully what situations make you a bundle of nerves while driving.
One way to overcome the fear of driving is to
face it. However, when you have little experience it is advisable to start progressively. This way, you can gain confidence. For this, we recommend that you start driving practicing in quiet areas with little traffic or in parking lots. Gradually you will be able to increase the intensity of the rides as you overcome without fear and feeling comfortable with the steering wheel.
It’s also handy to keep a journal or just write down in a notebook, or somewhere else of your preference, how you felt at the end of each trip. On the other hand, it is good to have the company of another person while learning to drive, it is a very good way to overcome your phobia while gaining confidence.
Control your symptoms When your phobia manifests certain symptoms appear that reflect your emotional state, these symptoms
are usually fast heart rate and restless breathing, try to stop them with some abdominal breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation. These techniques are aimed at reducing the physiological manifestations of fear.
In addition, it is important to regulate thoughts in advance by limiting the amount of negative thoughts, if you think positively you can have a clear mind, so you can more easily calculate the actions you should take, the possible ones to drive safely.
If
your fear of driving is uncontrollable and seems to overwhelm you, we recommend seeking help from a professional. A psychologist will be able to accurately determine the source of the problem, in addition to providing relief during the recovery process.
Tips for Reducing Stress While Driving
Are you having a serious stress problem while driving?
Whatever your stressor, this is likely to be a negative influence on how you drive, increasing the likelihood of suffering or causing an accident. It is also interesting to mention that the simple act of driving is already a cause of stress for some people.
If you find yourself driving and are stressed, your behavior becomes more competitive, aggressive, or hostile. This can generate adverse reactions in other drivers, the consequences of stress are always negative.
Stress causes you to react with impatience and distress, causing you to increase speed and make serious mistakes when making hasty decisions, In addition, speeding is illegal and greatly diminishes your ability to anticipate traffic events.
Drive without stress How to manage stress while driving?
Turn forward your alarm clock for a few minutes to calmly deal with any unforeseen events that may arise on the way to work.
Sleep the necessary hours (7 – 8 approximately). This will prevent you from falling asleep while driving.
Don’t impose unrealistic goals on yourself, and prioritize your needs. Carry out the activities one after another, always planning the time to rest and keep in mind that your resources are limited.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is very important. A balanced diet and a little exercise serves as a stress relief to keep the body ready to face any challenges and relieve its tensions.
Practice relaxing activities such as yoga or pilates, take massages, a refreshing bath, medications to reduce stress, etc. Avoid alcohol, tobacco or drugs.
Be very careful with stimulants that seem innocent, such as coffee or tea. Being dizzy while driving has never been a good idea.