Anxiety while Driving

[Treestar86]

About a month ago I had a resurgence in anxiety attacks while driving home from work. The highway I usually take is under construction so I know that is a factor. It's been getting better, I call someone to talk to, try counting exercises, tapping, deep breathing, and roll the windows down. Sometimes as soon as I merge I feel a flash of panic and tingling in my arms and face. The fear that I will not make it home to pick up my child from daycare on time keeps me from pulling off the highway if I can help it. I am hoping to hear from others who have worked through their own driving anxiety. Thank you.

[Agora1]

Hi Treestar86, no matter where the stress might be coming from, breathing is the way

to go at the moment and before it escalates.

It's the long slow exhale that is magic and can reduce the flow of adrenaline, heart rate

and blood pressure. This can almost instantaneously put you back in control through

peace and calm flowing through your body. When we feel tingling of arms, face, hands etc

we most likely are hyperventilating, thinking we are doing deep breathing but in fact

are doing it so much and so fast. It then has an adverse effect on us.

Deep Breathing needs to be practiced at home, each day. Like an athlete who would be

training for a marathon, he practices so when the game starts, he is ready to win.

Anxiety is like a game it plays with our mind. I am always ready to win and I have.

After all isn't that what a game is all about? Winning or at least trying.

YouTube has some good practice meditations on breathing properly. The more you

practice the better you get UNTIL...you don't even have to think about it. A stressful

moment comes up and your mind and body are in gear to respond automatically.

With this retraining in breathing, you will be able to merge, get stuck at a railroad

crossing, drive cautiously and safely w/o a care in the world. And yes, breathing

will become the key you turn on when getting into your car. It works xx