Listen to this article

Driving is taken to be one of the most common activities leading to fear and panic. It results from the extreme fear of riding or driving a vehicle and losing control of it. Different situations might lead to different distresses. It can lead to anxiety and fear when they drive over a bridge or through a tunnel.

Fear of driving can be more intense than this. If this fear is left untreated, it might disrupt your regular activities and lead to long-term mental health issues.

To overcome the fear of driving, here are a few things you can do.

• Hire the Driving Instructor

It might be a little surprising to know that several people are scared about driving on the highway since they do not have the necessary skills. Going to a driving school Toronto is the first step to fighting fear. By going to a driving class, you can understand how to drive under the guidance of a patient driving instructor.

The instructor is going to guide you while you drive. They can narrate the possible threats on the road. When you know that an expert is sitting beside you, it can make you feel a little calmer. Simply because you are feeling anxious, do not skip the driving school lessons.

• Go for Therapy

In case you think going to a driving school Scarborough is not enough, you can go for exposure therapy. It is all about facing your anxiety and fear and overcoming it. For instance, you can be in the driver’s seat and stay there for some time. No need to turn on the engine.

Touch the steering wheel to feel it. Keep doing this everyday until you start to feel comfortable. With time, you can add another task apart from sitting on the driver’s seat. When you are in exposure therapy, you have to continue adding more complex and difficult tasks every time you start to feel comfortable.

Soon, you will find that you are getting comfortable with driving.

• Practice Relaxation Techniques

If you are looking to learn driving, you have to learn how to relax. You need not be paranoid or uptight when you are driving. You should focus on what you are doing and relax. One of the primary relaxation techniques is meditation that has proven to be efficient.

Meditation doesn’t cost you any money. Moreover, you will be able to practice it from the comfort of your home. Deep breathing exercises are great for relaxing. In case you are feeling a little anxious, you can listen to some calm and soothing music until you start to feel relaxed.

• Choose Brutal Truth Method

The Brutal Truth Method is sharing your fear and anxiety with someone you can trust and rely on. In return, they are going to offer a positive perspective when you start to face your fears. For instance, in case you are scared of cats, a trusted friend can point out to you that they are harmless.

If you are not comfortable sharing with someone, you can write down your fears or just record them. You need to be honest and truthful about naming the fear. It is the best way to move forward with fighting your fear.

• Use Positive Affirmations

You have to be kind to yourself and say some positive and affirmative words for yourself. Some short states can boost your positive feeling and can help you overcome the fear of driving.

Self-encouragement might not seem like much but it can go a long way in making your fear go away. While you are driving, you can tell some things to yourself that will make you feel at ease. Tell yourself that you can do it and that you are open to the possibility of driving.

Keep driving until you start to feel comfortable. Roll down the car’s window to feel the wind in your hair. You will not be able to get rid of the fear if you don’t drive at all. So, face your fear if you want to know how to drive.

Bottom Line

If you have driving fear, you should not take it lightly as it might lead to road accidents and endanger people’s life. So, use the tips given above to face your fear and overcome it.