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Driving anxiety?

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Posted 6/30/2016 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
Does anyone have anxiety driving? I'm not sure why it is the case but whenever I am driving I get headaches, head pressure (particularly around my forehead and back of head), and sometimes feel tired / out of it. Maybe its because I have a lot of boring quite time and my mind is wondering. It doesn't really seem to matter how much traffic there is, or what time of the day. Maybe its related to the hot humid days and car AC. I'm not sure just wondering if anyone else experiences this. Mine is almost on a daily basis.
Posted 6/30/2016 4:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi AD,

There are a lot of posts on this subject here...so know you are not alone!

You can do a 'Search' here on this issue. Find this feature in the upper right hand toolbar.

Practicing coping skills while you are in the car. ..such as a relaxation c.d. or streaming and app could help.

Hoping you find what works for relieving those symptoms!

S.C.
Posted 6/30/2016 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
There's always a little anxiety when I drive. Especially alone. It's gotten a lot better but what has really helped me is listening to meditative music and trying to relax my shoulders. When I was in the height of my anxiety, I realized I was gripping the steering wheel so tight it was hurting my shoulders and in turn would hurt my head.
Posted 8/15/2016 6:06 PM (GMT 0)
omg. yes I had driving anxiety for a good 6 months. Did not even know that it what it was. Now I clearly see the symptoms. Just gradually went away I guess once my driving improved. I still do not drive on freeways.
Posted 8/16/2016 8:15 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

Yes I have driving anxiety and tend to avoid driving at night because I find that really stressful.

Hibee
Posted 8/16/2016 1:14 PM (GMT 0)
Ugh! Driving anxiety is my arch nemesis! I used to love driving...until I had a huge panic attack while driving home from vacation a couple years ago. I've never been the same:(

You are in good company.
Posted 8/16/2016 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
Face the fear and don't let it win and when you start to what if change your thought to so what if and answer that. Good luck I went through that 22 years ago. Also a good book is panic to power by lucinda Bassett.
Posted 8/17/2016 12:42 AM (GMT 0)
Yes! I get bad anxiety while driving alone especially. Tomorrow I have to drive 45 minutes one way by myself to take my son to the dentist . And by my self I mean without my fiancé. I always try to make him go everywhere with me because I hate driving long distances alone :/
Posted 8/17/2016 2:28 AM (GMT 0)
You can do it MOfT!!

Look at some of the Stress Relieving Exercises link in our Resources tonight if you've not done so already. Get familiar with some of the suggested techniques there such as the breathing and progressive muscle relaxation. You can practice them tonight, before you leave...and to some extent, even while you are driving. (as long as it doesn't take your focus off the road)

Envisioning a calm successful trip with no anxiety will go a long way in ensuring that it will be so!

Keep repeating positive and empowering mantras to yourself...

...you've got this.:)

S.C.
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