According to a survey by the American mobile computing company 'The Zebra', more than 50% of people in the world are afraid of driving. Before going somewhere or while driving, their hands start shaking, there is nervousness in the mind and mild tremors i.e. legs start shaking.
If you also feel shaky while driving, your heart rate increases and you feel nervous, or you feel anxious just thinking about driving, you may also have driving anxiety.
What causes driving anxiety? How to deal with this stress and anxiety while driving?
In today's 'Relationship' column we will try to find out the answers to these questions.
What is driving anxiety? To better understand driving anxiety, it's important to know what the condition is when you're experiencing it. Stress, fear or anxiety occurs when we find ourselves in a difficult or stressful situation. Who knows, you may be stressed due to some problem related to work, money or relationship. Due to these reasons, sometimes there is fear while driving.
While driving, we have to focus our full attention on the road, the approaching vehicles and the speed of the vehicle, like when to slow down, when to brake, when to turn the vehicle etc. Managing all this at once is difficult and can cause stress. Meanwhile, if an important call comes in, the stress level can rise further.
As a result, we feel scared while driving. Check the graphic below to see the signs of fear while driving-
Symptoms of Driving Anxiety Everyone experiences stress symptoms differently as some symptoms may appear suddenly or others may be triggered by stressful situations. Some symptoms may occur shortly before driving, such as after leaving the house after a fight with someone. Therefore, you may suddenly experience symptoms of fear while driving or even after driving for some time.
What is the difference between driving anxiety and phobia? You may feel a little nervous while driving, but there are some people who dread the mere thought of getting into a car. When this fear becomes more serious, it can become a phobia. In the language of science, the fear of driving is called amexophobia. People suffering from it are afraid to drive. If you have a phobia, you may worry more about any situation. Even about something as simple as driving.
- In amaxophobia, the fear of driving reaches such a level that on hearing the name of driving, all kinds of negative thoughts come to mind.
- Some people who suffer from this fear may feel so stressed about driving that they hesitate to even go to work. Avoid going to other places too. They only use public transport to go anywhere.
- There may be some phobias related to driving such as not being able to trust someone else's driving. He does not ride in a vehicle which is driven by someone else. Such people trust only their own driving and no one else.
- It may also be that a person is not afraid of driving, but is more afraid of the thought of being injured or killed in a car accident.
How to overcome driving anxietyIf you are experiencing the symptoms of stress and anxiety mentioned above, it is important to know some remedies to overcome them. Understand from the following graphic-
Driving anxiety can be reduced in this way
- If you start driving, you should choose an open space so that you get full space. This will reduce your fear and you will be able to drive without any disturbance.
- You can start driving around your home. Having familiar territory will help you deal with anxiety.
- Do not go too far and on unfamiliar roads by car. You may feel nervous in such a place.
- Gradually increase driving time. It will also increase your confidence.
- Don't be nervous at all while driving. Believe in yourself.
- Avoid driving alone. Always go with someone.
- Praise yourself for small daily successes. Try to increase your success rate a little each day.
- Try to learn something new every day.
- Record your response in a diary every day and try to improve it little by little.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
