Ways to Relax While Driving
Do you ever feel stressed when driving? You’re not alone! Driving anxiety is common and research shows that these feelings have increased since the pandemic.
What is driving anxiety?
This can refer to apprehension about certain situations like driving in heavy traffic, or on the more severe end of the spectrum, fear of driving. Symptoms of driving anxiety may include heart palpitations, sweating and shortness of breath.
What causes stress while driving?
Everyone will have experienced a stressful driving situation at some stage, and certain factors can make situations like this worse.
Weather conditions can have a major influence on our anxiety levels. When it is heavily raining, foggy, icy or glare from the sun is obscuring your vision, you may have to contend with slippery surfaces and limited visibility and these factors will reduce your feelings of control, which can be scary.
In addition to external factors like the weather and traffic, what’s happening inside your vehicle can also trigger stress. If you are unfamiliar with the controls in your car it can be difficult to find what you need without taking your eyes off the road. Your passengers can also cause distractions, for example if you have a back-seat driver or children to keep an eye on. Anything like this that diverts your awareness of the road can lead to feelings of anxiety.
Another stress factor is timing. If you are running late, you will most likely already be feeling stressed and you will not be in the best frame of mind to drive.
Tips for how to stay relaxed while driving
Give yourself plenty of time
As mentioned above, being late is a common stress factor, so make sure you add an extra half an hour or so to journeys to allow for traffic jams, particularly if the weather is bad.
Be aware of your posture
If you notice yourself tensing up, gripping the steering wheel a bit tightly and hunching over, take a moment to correct your posture, slow down and take some deep breaths. Sitting up straight will give you a better driving position and help you to feel more in control, plus it could save you some back ache later on!
Switch off your phone
Even if you are not using your phone when driving, those pings and vibrations can still distract you, making you wonder what messages are coming through. The ideal driving state is when you are free from distractions and completely focused on the road, so it is best to turn your phone off and only check it when you stop for breaks. If you are using your phone for navigation, you will find that apps now have the ability to restrict incoming notifications from popping up, so make sure you apply this option before you set off.
Be aware of other road users
Do you get road rage? It’s only natural when there’s heavy traffic or someone cuts us up but getting angry can lead to us losing control and making mistakes ourselves. After something like this happens, try not to dwell on it, instead take some deep breaths, accept it and move on. We’re all human and make mistakes, and perhaps the driver was rushing someone to hospital.
Create a more relaxing environment inside your car
Stick the radio on and listen to music that will keep you calm. If you have to make a tricky manoeuvre or you are coming to a roundabout that requires your full attention, make your passengers aware of this, and ask them to stay quiet during this.