Coping with stress

 

 

Learning to drive can be very stressful. It affects everyone differently.

 

Do you suffer from sweaty palms and you can't stop the involuntary shaking limbs? If your a smoker, you start chain smoking as a result of your anxiety?

 

In our opinion, its purely a psychological reaction to the task that your either performing, or about to. As an example, before you start your driving lessons, you might be thinking of the worst. For example: What's the instructor going to be like; what's the car like to drive; what mistakes am I going to make; or am I going to make a fool of myself?

 

In reality, none of them applies. Your instructor maybe very helpful and understanding: the car maybe easy to drive; your instructor is used to people making mistakes (not that I'm encouraging you to!).Finally its ok to make a fool of yourself. Everyone does when they start driving.

 

Another example of getting stressed out, is when you start learning a new skill, such as dealing with gear changing; junctions; roundabouts; manoeuvres.

 

Staying positive

 

 

Part of driving a car involves your thinking processes, and the other, physical. So you that can cope with the physical skills, its important to be relaxed. When you're in that state of mind, it helps you to think more clearly what your task involves. I always encourage my student drivers to remain relaxed and having a positive attitude.

 

It's no good you telling yourself "I cant do it! or, Its too hard for me". A better attitude is: "Yes I can do it" or, "I will do it" or words to that effect. To be honest, I don't know of a successful person that has a negative attitude!

 

Another way to reduce your anxieties, is to stop what your doing. If your driving, then pull up at a safe place. Close your eyes, and take a few very long, very deep breaths so that the air really fills your lungs. You'll be surprised how relaxed this will make you feel.