Seel Fresh Self Improvement Blog

If you are one of the persons that are constantly asking themselves how to conquer fear of driving, here are a few ways presented here which will enable you to diffuse stressful situations and very uncomfortable feelings, and make you last through your day.

A few driving anxiety relaxation techniques exist to date. A couple of these techniques will make your perspective broader and give you the necessary skillset needed to go through fearful days, both existentially and when driving.The Autogenic Technique:In a simple way, Autogenic training is a type of self-hypnosis used through a voice routine, for example, which can help your mind train to overcome your fear.

An example of this type is that of closing your eyes and listening to the sound of your own voice, repeating simple calming words and visualizing yourself being calm and relaxed. You can imagine yourself saying the things below or acquire a tape recorder and record the messages yourself:

1. Sit in a comfortable position. Start counting back from ten towards one.

2. The arms are getting heavy. They are warm and relaxed.

3. The legs and arms are becoming heavy and relaxed. Repeat the process three to five times.

4. My chest is becoming warm. Repeat the sentence two to five times.

5. My forehead is becoming cooler and cooler. Repeat this sentence two to five times.

6. My shoulders and neck are relaxed. Repeat this sentence two to five times.

7. I am peaceful and centered. Keep counting from one to ten slowly and resume your routine.

Before dismissing this relaxation technique as being psycho-babble you should try it for yourself, when in a stressful situation and discover its wonderful results. Some of these results will be a heart rate that returns to normal, reduced blood pressure, an improved digestion, and the boosting of your immune system. Constantly using this Autogenic therapeutic exercise will help you to overcome your fears and return to you the joy of driving!

You can leave the fear of driving on freeways way behind you,  by making a conscious choice, not an easy one in that, but one that will enforce your mind to become used to the mental stress of driving through those areas.

The Cycle of Fear:

1)    The rememberance of a past accident or imagining a possible future scenario. It is possible something like being involved in a car accident or stuck in a traffic jam hasn’t even happened to you, but you become frightened because your mind is trying to anticipate and prepare for the event ahead of time. These type of threats are to be treated as real as any live event!

2)    Physical Response. The body will adjust to your mental attitude and react by increasing your heart rate, creating dizziness, possibly fainting and hyperventilating, all normal reactions to a sign of distress, be it real or not. In those times you should consider breathing through your mouth instead of your nose.

3)    Fight or Flee. As the human beings that we are, we have become wired to do one of two things when faced with a life threatening scenario: fight or flee. Fighting would be a hard thing to do while you are driving and this action would be inappropriate to the present scenario, or you can take flight. Running may be in the form of parking, or making a conscious choice not to drive any further.

How to break the Cycle:

Separating yourself from your fears is a different process, with different steps for every person. A few methods exist on how you should proceed. At first, you should break the problem into small pieces. If the fear you are experiencing is based on a real event or on a memory, write down the details of that particular event and try to understand what has happened in that particular situation. A high number of accidents can be avoided by constructing a list of possible actions which can be taken at the right time to prevent such scenarios.

Meditation and breathing techniques will help your body deal with the state you will develop when having a panic attack, and you can always try the direct approach by facing the event head on, until you have managed to finally overcome it.

How to get rid of fear of driving, you ask? This is indeed a difficult question to answer, but you should remember that like all your problems in life you can choose to go through the heart of the problem, instead of avoiding it, and your hard work will have incredible results!

When you find yourself in a situation like this one where you are faced with crossing over a bridge, you should keep in mind that you don’t present the only condition and are the sole man who has to face this fear.In the event you have been asking yourself how to get rid of your driving fear as a general problem, or overcoming the fear of driving over bridges in particular, there are no shortcuts that will do the work for you. The methods may not be easy but some strategies do exist.

Positive Reinforcement

If you have heard the story “Pavlov’s dog” where the scientist trains his dog to compare him sounding a bell with the dog receiving a reward. Our minds can be trained in a similar manner.

Situations can be planned ahead and facing your fears on a short term will provide you some substantial rewards. You can train your mind to accept receiving a coffee, something to eat or even a relaxing look after overcoming your fear and crossing one bridge.

This technique made of small steps that builds positive association is not the only technique made available to you. A different approach is one where you can adopt friendly conversations with loved ones and you can express yourself in a free and liberating way. If you speak on how you feel then your views on the issues you fear are prone to change and you will achieve a higher level or calmness and relaxation.

An additional approach to overcoming your fear of crossing bridges is that of “pumping up” by eating favorite meals and getting some rest and relaxation every time right before you drive. You can have monologues with yourself and through inner self talk you can tell and convince the brain that this bridge is not different from any road. You should also focus on your breathing because breathing techniques will help in remaining calm when faced with the immediate action to face your fear. Dwelling in possible fearful scenarios is to be avoided and you can do so by thinking of how good things will be after you manage to cross the bridge and get on the other side. The tension in your body will dissipate by using these techniques and overcoming your fear, right after crossing the bridge!

Immediately after finding a quiet place to park, write an entry in your journal about the difficult experience and how well you have conditioned your mind to overcome it. This should be done with every occasion, every single time you are confronted with facing a fear when driving. Crossing bridges will soon become an easy task and you will make these practices and routines your own. You should do these steps slowly and in case you feel a bit overwhelmed from the start remember to pull the car to the side of the road and allow yourself some time to reenergize your body!

Below are presented some techniques that will enlighten you how to overcome fear of driving and all of them are dependent on the source of your phobias.

Driving Phobias:

Fear of crashing-

The most frequent even is that of drivers having anxiety right before or while being in a car. This fear manifests simply because they are afraid of crashing their car. To better adjust to overcoming this fear small driving practice tests should be performed in neighboring areas at a small speed. One thing that is of immense help is that of asking a friend to accompany you while driving so he may guide you to overcome the process and so that you may learn to take directions, until you develop your own process.

Fear of fellow drivers-

Another common case of fear is that of being frightful of drivers when in traffic. In case this fear comes along, the trigger might be that of your constant thoughts on how they may start a conflict with you and you will have to deal with their anger, especially when returning home after a hard day at work.

Regardless of their reactions as long as you follow the traffic rules and regulations of the state you are in, the law protects you against such behavior. If the experienced drivers may feel the need for speed, you on the other hand, experienced or not, should avoid it! Remain firm, travel at recommended speeds and allow the other drivers which are in a rush to pass you. People when in a hurry tend to make mistakes, which in turn put their lives at risk. If someone presents themselves as hostile or shouts at you simply ignore him as long as you consider doing so is safe. When you realize you might be followed, take your car to a police station or a crowded place.

Traumatic memories-

Past traumatic experiences are dealt with the help of a therapist. Asking a professional for help is not a sign of weakness. You should not be forced to constantly remind yourself of the past accidents when faced with having to drive. The most efficient way to deal with this fact is to express it freely and simply return slowly in the driver seat of your car, ease your transition!

An example of a healing tool which originates from our understanding of our body’s energy is that technique called acupressure, which has been discovered and adopted  in China and is the base of the eastern culture and medicine. Acupressure evolved around the idea that certain points on the body can be stimulated to balance the body’s energy and in turn, the person will result in a calmer more energized state.

Whatever the case, whether you have heard of this concept before, that of chi the acupressure method is formed as a relaxation technique. I will present to you some basic energy points which you can stimulate to increase your body’s energy.

The hand – One point is that located on the outer edge of your hand right below your pinky. You can associate that point to the spot on your arm where you would consider connecting a karate chop.Your head – You can compare you head to a small crown, constructed out of dots this way you get an understanding of how the meridians are placed.

The face- The area were a multitude of points exist, one easy spot to know is the one located next to the eyebrows above your nose.

Having learned the points it is easy to work and activate them through applying pressure. If you possess the fear of driving alone when you find yourself located in a parked spot consider taking a couple of moments to balance your energy. A quick exercise on how to do so will be explained in the lines to follow.You should begin breathe in deep, talk about your emotions out loud, and press any of the points on the meridian described in a firm manner but not a painful one. You should consider tapping a different point of the meridian every minute. When speaking how you feel you should describe your emotions as when talking with a close friend, on a calm tone, and keep in mind the events which have upset you. Talking out loud can make you less lonely. You can also carry a cell phone with you for emergency situations and that will make you feel more relaxed when you feel like you are about to have a crisis.

If today is the day you have decided that the time has come for you to learn how to drive then you may present a little case of driving anxiety. You should not force yourself to take all driving lessons in one day. An existing family member or friend who possesses a driving license will be able to introduce you to the world of traffic much faster. If no person with this status is available then you should consider taking private driving lessons.The driving phobia can be controlled through breaking the driving course into very small lessons.

Until you get into a car by yourself, you should get up to speed with the current traffic rules and regulations. A book with all the necessary documentation is made available to you at local police stations or at the registry office. These books will target new drivers in particular, so they will have a small price and be worth reading for the insightful content. After mastering the traffic rules and acquiring one friend to accompany you through traffic you are set to travel the world and drive wherever the roads may lead!

One hour per day spent driving, for about three times every week is enough to start with. You will have the chance to learn and master your lessons in baby steps. The first driving lesson should be that of doing a couple of laps around the neighborhood at a slow speed. While doing this maintain focus towards the road, traffic signs, and have your friend join you to avoid any newbie traffic mistakes. Identify those mistakes ahead of time and through them you will surely overcome fear of driving.

The faster your skills develop the more complex and long, your trips will be.Tasks which seemed impossible before like parallel parking, navigating those multi-lane roads, and maneuvering in parking spaces will be extremely easy.A driving instructor should be at your side during these times to provide some insightful critique, and his professional advice would be more than welcome, when it comes to advancing to more complex maneuvers. You have to take it easy and when you notice you may become tired or tensed pull over and take the time to gather your thoughts and calm yourself.

You shouldn’t talk down to yourself if you are one of the people which is having a hard time coping with the fear of driving. This driving anxiety is as difficult to handle as any of the other fears, for example:the fear of rejection, the fear of intimacy, the fear of tight spaces, the fear of insects and so on. When you compare this fear to any of the other ones this fear of driving phobia is less troublesome.

The decision of confronting your fear should make you proud because not many people have that necessary inner strength of character to make this conscious choice, and as we all know recognizing you have a problem is the first step in finding a solution. To quote Mark Twain, “Courage is the absence of fear, the mastery of fear, not the absence of fear.”

In the event you are more comfortable when it comes to scared of driving, we will begin to walk the path that leads to ending this phobia from its roots.The main step in coming to terms with this fear and conquering it is through getting enough support. You should consider building a network of people to aid you in staying firm on the path to overcoming your driving anxiety obstacles. Many friends or maybe just one, can help you deal with your situation simply by talking to you, and allowing your emotions to be expressed in a stress free environment will provide you with inner peace and will relax your brain.

The following step on the path is that of goal setting. You need to set up small goals which when achieved will result in creating a huge amount of the self-confidence and satisfaction needed to banish this fear of driving from your life. Not doing so will result in the constant presence of this fear of driving in your life, and you will end up in losing your friends and the people you love, possibly even enough career advancements for no real reason. The opposite course however, will take you towards self-mastery and achieving your goals.When afraid to drive, travel on a small traffic day, or be in the company of a friend who can keep your mind off things. Keeping track of your progress in a journal will prove useful when having these states because you will then be able to re-read all your accomplishments and realize how little you have left until you will overcome your fear for good!

Are you one of the persons who are suffering from the overwhelming fear of driving? If so, there are a couple of ways by which you can make disappear the anxiety while driving, relieve your stress and be reunited with the love for automobiles. Understanding the cause and the process with all its symptoms should be the cornerstone of your path.More often than not, traumatic events and the stress that comes associated with traffic accidents or road scandals are known to trigger a case of panic attacks. It is your duty and that of your therapist’s to decide what the steps are on how to confront the triggers and change the feelings from stress to the joy of driving.

You are lucky enough to discover such steps exist, and they will help you overcome the fear of driving.

The first step is that of taking your time.

You should avoid driving at the end of any work day! Doing so will lead to headaches and a daily dose of nerves, which you don’t need! Having the stress of a hard day’s work plus that of a co-workers arguing in a traffic jam is not such a nice thought!

The second step is that of enhancing your driving skills.Attend a driving school and take some lessons, as well as train your mind to deal with any possible type of scenario that you may come upon, when on the road. Certain schools are known to offer driving classes which will lead to a lower insurance rate. Thus you can build some self-confidence while driving and save some money in the process!

The third step is that of becoming self-aware.

You need to control your thoughts. It may sound tough but it really isn’t. Breathing exercises, some Pilates, even yoga can improve your condition and help you relax.

These three steps used with patience will allow overcoming the fear of driving, and if you will still have a hard time getting into cars then you should consider getting professional help in the form of a therapist. I wish you luck and hope you will drive safely!

Fear could make you embarrassing and cause you to lose your heart in front of your friends. Every one has a fear regarding of anything. Some fear of heights, some of spiders, and some of snakes. One such phobia that can adversely affect your personal as well as social life is fear of driving; which can completely hamper your way of living. It is dumb for somebody to explain why they can’t drive and endure panic attack while you are on the drive. Remember, you are not the only one experiencing this type of situation. In this short article, it discusses briefly how to get rid of this anxiety while driving and lead a life that is not dependent on others.

Imagine your day when you purchased some groceries for your home and you can’t take your car to bring those items.  Many favor to use public transportation; but look those people who drive their car towards the nearby store for shopping. Try also to imagine when you are in some urgency and you are still waiting for a bus? These all factors can seem ridiculous until you experience them; and the only solution for all this problem is fighting phobia of driving.

Take into consideration the period of time spent waiting a bus or requesting a lift. Escaping the embarrassment you face when your friends ask you to take them out; you start searching for reasons. You have to get over your driving anxiety and lead your life to the fullest. Visualize the problems you could face in living with driving anxiety and you will surely find methods to eliminate it. Depending on others to travel nowadays is ridiculous. You need to travel a lot. Life will become a puzzle when you suffer from driving phobia. Get rid of it!

Many people that have phobia of driving are eager to overcome their situation. A lot of steps can be undertaken if one wants to be freed from such fears. All one needs to do is to become open to changes and suggestions, be positive of their cause and be determined to become cured. A good plan can also be used to outline what you need to do in order to successfully win over your phobia. But your plan must be followed carefully to make sure you get the result you want.

However, there are several people who instead of following a plan to cure them, they deviate on the plans they made out to complete, and just ignore all advices given to them. People can sometimes be frustrated and desperate that’s the reason why they do so.

As an example, other people are critical after they attempt to drive. It can be but normal to feel a bit of nervousness if it’s your first time to drive. You may sweat and even tremble a little if you’re behind the wheel. Some may complain of going thru driving panic once they get their engines going, but you see these are very normal. One must remember of the fact that bodily responses mentioned are experienced only to increase your awareness on the road and your alertness while driving. They are very important when you’re behind the wheel.

Presence of mind is the best essential thing you should possess in order to become a good driver. Also be mindful of your speed. Some starting drivers tend to hurry up when they feel panic thus their driving is out of control. Besides presence of mind, you also must be calm and focused when in the road.

With that, it may be inferred that it indeed possible to be free from fears of driving. Just don’t stress over thinking what can happen to you while driving. Just take advantage of the breeze and do not sweat it.