How to get over nerves while driving

Relax. You're not the only one who experiences typical driving nerves . It's something many people face at some point in their lives, and it usually disappears with continued driving. The problem arises when those nerves aren't managed properly, causing us to be more clumsy and distracted than necessary.

To best handle this situation, we offer a series of tips you can apply before driving , while driving, and, perhaps most importantly, before you have to drive out of necessity . If you consistently follow these tips, you'll overcome your driving anxiety sooner than you think.

before driving

• The rush is not good, so before starting the engine, take a moment for yourself. You should use that time to relax to lower your tension a little. For this it is highly recommended control breathing.
• Practice the abdominal breathing. It is about breathing by swelling the belly instead of the chest. To do it correctly you must breathe slowly, taking the air through the nose and expelling it through the mouth. Place your hands on your belly to feel how it goes up and down.
• There are people who get frustrated because they notice that the nerves do not disappear completely. You must not fall into that mistake, because the goal of relaxation exercises is not to completely eliminate nervousness. It is simply a preliminary step to decrease anxiety and the most common physiological symptoms, such as muscle tension or rapid pulse.

While you drive

• Take advantage of every stop What do you do to continue with abdominal breathing: traffic lights, traffic jams... If necessary, stop voluntarily to repeat the breathing exercises. Yes indeed, you must do it respecting the traffic rules. For example, pull off the highway at a service area or gas station.
• Avoid negativity. Don't just focus on what you don't do quite right. The people who do thatlose self-confidence soon and they become more and more insecure. In stead of, you should also take into account the successes you have. Keep in mind that driving well is a process that begins with getting your license, but that is perfected over time.

Exercises and good practices to get rid of nerves

• Do not avoid taking the car. Avoidance becomes a way to reinforce insecurity, the nerves or the fears that you may have.
• The previous work is just as important, so practice in a safe area. Especially to rehearse the things in which you feel most insecure. The more prepared you are, the less nervous you will be when the time comes.
• It's also good repeat the same route several times. Even to boredom. When you feel safe enough throughout the route you have chosen, happens to do the same in another area in which you add some more condition. For example, from your neighborhood you can go to roads with little traffic, and from there to highways or ring roads. Choose the order yourself and go from the areas where you look looser to the ones that make you a little nervous.
• If you have to take the car out of necessity and you see that you are starting to get upset, leave early and take one of your usual tours before. For example, take a walk around your neighborhood before embarking on the trip you have to make.
• When you do these practices take advantage of the fact that you can choose the conditions of the trip. You yourself can decide if you prefer to do it alone or accompanied. Avoid people who add stress to you, for example by his brusque or aggressive tone when correcting you. Adding more nerves to a circumstance that already generates anxiety is not usually a good idea.
• Other conditions of your trip that you can choose are the amount of traffic, weather or light conditions. Always keep in mind that your goal should be to drive in any circumstance, so be progressive and do not fall into the avoidance of a circumstance without further ado. At the end you should have driven in all of them.

Images – Eric Chu, Chase Elliott Clark, rubber bullets and Jorge Franganillo