Most people don’t associate driving with high-intensity emotions, but many people experience extreme feelings behind the wheel. Some drivers even admit to crying or acting out in the car. These visceral emotions can physically affect your ability to drive and your vision.
Luckily, there are ways to cope with your emotions on the road and prevent potential accidents due to blurry vision, mental distractions or other physical reactions. Some of the most practical techniques include:
Set up alternative transportation
If you are in an emotional or intense situation, it’s best to arrange an alternative way to get home safely. You can either ask someone else to drive you home or call a ridesharing service to pick you up. If you can’t find another driver to take the wheel, at least take an extended break to calm down and recollect your emotions before stepping into any vehicle.
Practice some meditative breathing
Deep breathing is critical for controlling emotions and tuning into a calm mindset. If you can feel yourself feeling overwhelmed or emotional, pull over, or wait before you leave, and take a few deep breathes until you feel yourself relax. It will help you focus on driving instead of what you’re thinking about.
Use peaceful tunes for your trip
Music can invoke powerful emotions from the listener, but it could be detrimental when you are operating a vehicle. It’s important to select peaceful music or a podcast when you are particularly sensitive. Many drivers may listen to jazz or classical music specifically when they need a calm environment.
Emotional driving may happen spontaneously. so it’s important to know how to address it in a safe manner when it cannot be prevented. Remember, you can always slow down or pull over when emotions are too overwhelming.