How to Overcome Driving Stress & Anxiety

There are just more than 284,000,000 vehicles in America, making it difficult for drivers to feel safe and secure on the roads. According Healthline the number of road-rage incidents is increasing with 728 road-rage events taking place in 2021. 522 of these road rage events involved injury or death. Stressed driving can not only put you at risk for a road rage incident but also negatively affect your cognitive abilities behind the wheel. You may feel sad or tired. These eight tips can help you reduce anxiety and stress while driving.

What is the reason you feel so stressed while driving?

 Driving stress is something many people deal with. An survey of the car insurance industry revealed that 66% of U.S. drivers feel some degree of anxiety while driving. According to the survey, 75% of women feel anxious while driving and 62% have had a traumatic experience with driving. There are many factors that can cause stress in driving. You may feel anxious about driving because of a traffic incident. Aggressive drivers may make you feel uncomfortable and force you to drive at a speed you aren't comfortable with. Non-driving-related stress can also cause driving stress. Your driving experience can be affected by your feelings of sadness, anger, distress, fatigue, or disinterest caused by current life events. This can lead to you feeling more stressed and anxious than other drivers. 

Stress-producing Situations 

Driving can be stressful in many ways. These are some of the most stressful situations that can occur while driving: Another driver cutting you off Traffic jams A driver who is aggressive and rides your bumper, or starts or stops in front of you Slow drivers that don't let you pass Failure to signal by other cars Distracted driving by other drivers Drivers speeding or changing lanes in an erratic manner Feeling pressured by other vehicles to drive in unsafe ways Feeling lost, or being forced to make an unfamiliar turn Braking can be difficult when unexpected stops occur Parking lot/spot confrontations You may find yourself in more stressful driving situations depending on how often and how far you drive. 

What is it important to reduce driving stress? 

It is important to reduce stress while driving. This will help you and others stay healthy. Stress can lead to anxiety and depression if you are constantly feeling stressed when you get behind the wheel. Your cortisol levels can rise constantly, which can have a hugely negative effect on your physical well-being. Driving stress can not only harm your mental health but also puts everyone on the roads at greater risk for injury and accident. A 2020 study examined stress and its effect on driving performance. Researchers discovered several connections. Driving stress levels are strongly affected by previous tiredness and sadness Traffic accidents are more likely to occur when stressed drivers are driving or if they feel the stress from something outside. Negative emotions can lead to dangerous driving habits Six times more stress-stricken drivers accelerate and brake six times faster than those who are not stressed. Drivers who are stressed felt 20% more tired after driving Stressed drivers are more likely than those who are not to be stressed to speed up, to cut off other drivers, and to fail to stop at crosswalks. 

How to Reduce Driving Stress and Keep Calm While Driving 

There are many ways to reduce stress levels and keep you calm while driving. You can use these stress-reducing methods to reduce anxiety and stress, such as listening to soothing music or practicing breathing exercises. 

1. Calm Music Relaxing music can help you to feel less stressed when driving. A 2013 study on the effects of soothing music and the autonomic nervous systems found that listening to classical or rippling music had a positive effect on psychological stress levels and helped in stress recovery. Turn on some peaceful music next time you get in your car. 

2. You can change your travel route Congested traffic, poorly designed or maintained street signs or traffic lights can cause stress on your regular route. You can change the route you take if you feel stressed. You may be able to avoid traffic situations by taking a different route. You may be able to find a better route, which can help you save time and stress. immediate stress relief tips

3. Keep snacks and drinks in your car Low blood sugar can make you feel confused , tired, stressed, and overwhelmed . Even though you might not feel hypoglycemia (low sugar), you can feel lightheaded or irritable if you don't eat for several hours. Keep a few snacks and drinks handy in case you feel stressed driving. This will help you to increase blood sugar and clear your head. To keep your car stocked with healthy items, such as nuts, pretzels and granola bars or nut butter, you should opt for non-refrigerated options. These snacks will give you an extra boost of protein, healthy fats, and help you focus. To stay hydrated, make sure you have a water bottle with you. 

4. Try aromatherapy Aromatherapy refers to the use of scents to incite specific emotions. To create a relaxing environment in your car, you can use the basic principles of aromatherapy. To add a sense of calm and uplifting energy to your car, you can find car sprays or air fresheners that have scents such as lemon, orange, mint, or even car sprays. You can keep your car smelling pleasant and fresh by choosing a scent you like. In this way, you will get immediate stress relief tips.

Keep calm and keep going 

You and other road users will be more comfortable if you are calm during your drive. Stress can have a negative impact on your mental and physical health. You may also be at greater risk of injury or accident while driving. You can try different techniques to calm your stress while driving and create a peaceful, tranquil atmosphere whenever you get behind the wheel. Click here for more info, Whitelightpath