How to Overcome Driving Anxiety

How to overcome your driving anxiety

For many people, driving is nothing more than a part of their daily routine. They get up, shower, eat breakfast, and drive to work without much of a thought. However, for others, driving can create a high degree of fear and anxiety.
If you’re someone who stresses over the thought of getting behind the wheel, read ahead for some helpful tips on overcoming your fear:

Stick to what you’re comfortable with at first

If you get nervous driving on the highway, then don’t drive on the highway. It’s simple. There’s no point stressing out. Instead, take a longer route to avoid the high-flying traffic.
However, unless you have unlimited time on your hands, taking the longer route every day won’t be an effective long-term solution. If highway driving is your issue, ease into it. Every time you drive, spend more and more time on the highway until it becomes second nature to you.

Don’t drive alone

Chances are, you’ll be a lot more comfortable behind the wheel if you have an experienced driver with you. If you tend to get anxious when you drive alone, you can always start a carpool at work to avoid being by yourself behind the wheel.
If you’re alone on the weekend, ask a friend or family member if they’d like to run errands with you.

Take some lessons

Even if you already have your full G license, there’s nothing wrong with taking a few lessons with a driving instructor to improve your confidence. If you’re nervous behind the wheel, you’ve probably developed a few bad habits that an experienced instructor can correct.
You can look on the Ministry of Transporation’s website to see which driving schools have been approved by the Province. You can also look at online reviews to see how others viewed their instructors.

Take a deep breath

If you tend to get super tense and anxious when you step into a car, take the time to relax before starting the engine. Spend a few minutes to sit calmly and concentrate on your breathing. Remember that if you can stop your anxious thoughts from taking over, you’ll have an easier time concentrating on the road ahead.

Avoid driving at night

Nighttime driving can be nerve-wracking for even the most experienced of drivers, so don’t feel bad if you prefer to stick to day-time driving only.
Unless you’re in a well-lit area, you’ll likely have a hard time seeing the road, which will only increase the chances of getting into an accident. If nighttime driving makes you uncomfortable, there’s nothing wrong with avoiding it whenever possible.