Photo by Gijs Coolen on Unsplash
Welcome to the new blog! We hope you could get around to some of the destinations we mentioned in the previous blog during April’s calm days! This month’s blog is looking into driving with anxiety and finding ways to minimize it for safety.
It’s important to know that it isn’t just having a bad day. It goes further than that, with a driver unable to stop themselves from snapping, shouting, or exhibiting other fight-or-flight responses that suggest the driver is in turmoil. Several anxieties can impact safe driving. There’s also a particular anxiety called driving anxiety, where bridges, tunnels, and other spaces can terrify a driver or trigger a panic attack.
In this article for Choosing Therapy, author Eric Patterson (LPC) goes into the signs and causes of Driver’s Anxiety. Anxiety in your car can also be having difficulty with the tiny bit of social interaction with people outside of your vehicle as an element of driving: eye contact, conflict resolution, right-of-way issues, and so on. We’ve got a few tips if you or a new driver in your home is dealing with anxiety but must drive:
Be honest with others. If you have anxiety issues, let someone know before you begin driving them that the consideration most drivers expect from drivers (don’t distract) is paramount to their safety.
Make your car a safe place. Banish riders who do inconsiderate things that offend you, put you on edge, or demand your attention to be divided between them and driving. Outlaw profanity or vulgarity if that helps you stay focused.
Think of the destination. Clear your mind of agitants and concentrate on the drive, knowing that your trip is safe and your path is clear-- or safer and more precise than those with anxiety think it will be.
Three little tips can’t solve the issues. Still, they can help you eliminate the problems resulting from people taking the enormous responsibility of safely getting a car and its passengers somewhere. Don’t let your car be something else that worries you; if you have doubts or concerns, be sure to schedule an appointment with Larry’s Independent Service today. We are located at 25721 Taladro Circle Unit A, Mission Viejo, CA, 92691, and we are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.