The fastest way to eliminate driving phobia is to face your fear of driving. Follow this advice but with caution. Avoid the mistakes that many people commit in their enthusiasm. If you meet up with another frightful incident, that could well be the last time you muster up enough courage to drive.
First Mistake: Testing Your Progress Instead of Practicing: If you practice, you will safely reach your goal of eliminating driving phobia. If you test your progress without going through the drills, you might not. Resist the urge to test yourself on the fast lane.
Testing could be counterproductive because it causes stress and anxiety. Chances of failure are high and that will only make your driving phobia worse. Practice your way up to avoid any chance of failure.
Second Mistake: Practicing in the Traffic: Driving through traffic is never easy for anyone. Stress and frustration while driving in traffic is normal for anybody, leave alone driving phobics. Of course you will eventually need to do it, but not early into practice.
Start with driving on roads that are not busy. Look for a time that is most suitable. Early morning is perhaps the best time to practice wherever you are. Start easy and gradually increase your difficulty level. Do not unnecessarily make things more difficult than needed.
Third Mistake: Not Relaxing Physically: You cannot hope to relax mentally while your body is tensed up. A relaxed body almost certainly ensures a relaxed mind. As soon as you feel some amount of driving anxiety creeping in, consciously relax parts of your body one at a time.
Relaxation techniques are to be applied preventatively. Do not wait until it is too late. Relax at every traffic signal and even as you drive to avoid a panic or anxiety attack. Practice relaxation techniques often even at home to gain expertise over them for quick results.
If you avoid these mistakes there is no reason why you shouldn't drive away to freedom from fear and anxiety. Take it in sessions and pat yourself after each one. This will reprogram your subconscious mind and make you feel peaceful and happy about driving. - 32513
First Mistake: Testing Your Progress Instead of Practicing: If you practice, you will safely reach your goal of eliminating driving phobia. If you test your progress without going through the drills, you might not. Resist the urge to test yourself on the fast lane.
Testing could be counterproductive because it causes stress and anxiety. Chances of failure are high and that will only make your driving phobia worse. Practice your way up to avoid any chance of failure.
Second Mistake: Practicing in the Traffic: Driving through traffic is never easy for anyone. Stress and frustration while driving in traffic is normal for anybody, leave alone driving phobics. Of course you will eventually need to do it, but not early into practice.
Start with driving on roads that are not busy. Look for a time that is most suitable. Early morning is perhaps the best time to practice wherever you are. Start easy and gradually increase your difficulty level. Do not unnecessarily make things more difficult than needed.
Third Mistake: Not Relaxing Physically: You cannot hope to relax mentally while your body is tensed up. A relaxed body almost certainly ensures a relaxed mind. As soon as you feel some amount of driving anxiety creeping in, consciously relax parts of your body one at a time.
Relaxation techniques are to be applied preventatively. Do not wait until it is too late. Relax at every traffic signal and even as you drive to avoid a panic or anxiety attack. Practice relaxation techniques often even at home to gain expertise over them for quick results.
If you avoid these mistakes there is no reason why you shouldn't drive away to freedom from fear and anxiety. Take it in sessions and pat yourself after each one. This will reprogram your subconscious mind and make you feel peaceful and happy about driving. - 32513
About the Author:
To discover more about overcoming fear of driving, check out Cecil Kelly's excellent articles on afraid of driving on his website.
