You've made it this far. You know that driving anxiety is natural, and you're going to take steps to change that. But how do you overcome your anxiety? Here are some tips on how to push past the fear and get into that driver's seat:
The only thing you can control is yourself. You can't make other private chauffeur services slow down, stop tailgating, or stay out of your blind spot. You can't control the weather or traffic conditions. And it's not worth worrying about whether or not you're a good driver (especially if the person who believes you're a terrible driver is also driving).
Instead, focus on what matters: your actions and reactions to these situations. To overcome driving anxiety and enjoy life behind the wheel more fully, it's essential for us all to learn how to avoid getting stressed out by things that we have no control over—including other weekly driver service.
Avoidance is a coping mechanism that can help you avoid panic attacks, but in the long run, it won't work. Suppose you feel safe driving only if you avoid an entire category of situations (for example, driving on freeways). In that case, you're doing yourself a disservice by not getting over your fear of going. You might think it's better to always take public transportation or ride with someone else whenever possible, but this will only reinforce your anxiety about driving and cause more problems down the road.
Avoidance has its place; when we are in danger, it's natural for us to run away from what we perceive as the source of harm. In some cases, like when someone throws a rock at our head or attempts to physically harm us in some other way, running away may be necessary for survival—but avoidance isn't just about surviving; it's also about avoiding unpleasant experiences that make us uncomfortable or afraid without actually being dangerous.
But while our brains may tell us that avoiding situations will keep us safe longer than facing them head-on will ever do, there are many ways in which avoidance can backfire:
Breathe deeply.
As you're working on overcoming your anxiety, it's important to remember that while it's okay to acknowledge and understand your emotions, they don't have to rule over you. You can let yourself feel anxious when you need to, but that doesn't mean letting it control how you live your life. Here are some ways to keep anxiety from ruining your life:
If you're experiencing driving anxiety, remember that it is a normal reaction to something that makes you feel uncomfortable. And while it may be hard to believe at first, you can overcome this feeling with time and practice. It may even help to have some tricks up your sleeve for when you feel incredibly anxious about getting behind the wheel—like deep breathing or practising relaxation techniques before getting in an unfamiliar car. If all else fails and driving still feels too scary for now, there are plenty of other ways to get around town without having to drive yourself!