How to Overcome the Fear of Driving

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Your hands start sweating the moment you sit behind the wheel. You feel dizzy. No points for guessing then that you suffer from the fear of driving. You wish so badly to overcome it. These tips help out when you start believing in yourself and not let the fear get the better of you.

You are not alone. There are many out there, just like you, who face the phobia of driving. It's just that they are at different levels of fear. Some are afraid of driving behind trucks or between trucks.

Some fear driving over bridges, while some fear driving at night. You probably wonder if you will ever overcome your fear. The good news is, yes you can and in more ways than one.

Let's set you up mentally first. If you don't drive, you end up losing out on lots of fun moments of life. You miss out on taking your family out for a long drive, you miss out on trying your hands at all the great cars, you miss out on driving your date back to her place.

In short, you miss out on lots of things. Also, during emergencies, for example when someone needs to be driven to the hospital, as much as you want, you will not be of any help just because of your fear. Next time you decide to take on your fear, remember to:

Relax

Before getting in the car, calm yourself down. Prepare your mind and tell yourself that you will only concentrate on driving and not on anything else. If you are not comfortable in the car, practice this method in your room first. Just close your eyes, take deep breaths, and visualize that you are at the wheel.

Practice this until you are confident. Then try this out in the car. Be absolutely comfortable before you start driving. While driving, if you feel edgy again, then pull over and carry out the given exercise.

Get a co-rider

If you think that you will be more comfortable if someone accompanies you, then bring someone along. That will reduce your anxiety. Also, if you have a fear of being alone in the car while driving, then this will help you get over it. Once you are confident about overcoming your fear, start driving alone.

Play Music

Play some soothing music while driving. You can try meditation music if you want. Soothing music relaxes your mind. Do not listen to loud music as it will not let you concentrate and might further distract you.

Take Small Steps

Initially, just drive around your neighborhood. Slowly, once you gain enough confidence, drive the distance. Do not try to drive on the highway or busier streets from the start. Take small and steady steps.

Join a Driving School

There are many driving schools where they teach you how to get over the fear. Join it. They will be more than ready to help you.

Forget those Jitters

Some people also have a fear of bridges and driving on them. So, the next time, when you approach a bridge, take in deep breaths, and keep a clear head. There should be only positive thoughts inside your head. Relax, and think of it as just another road, nothing different.

Carry on like this everyday and gradually, you will overcome your fear. You can also join Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) courses that initiate positive thoughts in your mind and have a positive impact on your behavior.

Now you know that your fear is only in your head. Just follow the given steps and you will be able to overcome your fear in no time. It's a great experience, getting to drive your own car. Try it.