IAM RoadSmart has teamed up with independent charity Ben to provide tips for drivers to help them handle stress and stay calm behind the wheel.
The advice is designed to help people recognise the warning signs of stress and learn how to manage the effects of stress before it puts them at risk behind the wheel.
Warning signs of stress
- Feeling distracted, forgetful or moody
- Having racing thoughts
- Not being able to “switch offâ€
- Becoming quiet and withdrawn
- Under or overeating
- Smoking more, drinking more alcohol or taking drugs
- Tense muscles
- Headaches
- Feeling sick
- Not sleeping well / insomnia
- Getting ill more often
Tips for managing stress before getting behind the wheel:
- Go for a short walk around the block to get some fresh air and unwind from the stresses of the day
- Wait until you feel calm, collected and well enough to head out on your journey. Driving itself can be stressful, especially in rush hour, so if you are already stressed this is likely to make matters worse
- Try mindfulness and deep breathing before getting behind the wheel
- If you’re feeling ill from stress with headaches or sickness, make sure you feel well enough before you drive. Drink plenty of water and get some fresh air
- Write down a list of the things that are stressing you out and set yourself some time to tackle them later on – sometimes writing your worries down and making time to sort them out helps clear your mind
- Is stress causing you to struggle with addiction to alcohol, drugs or nicotine? Be aware that these could still be in your system before driving. If you’re struggling with addiction or substance misuse, then it’s important to seek help
- If you’re having trouble sleeping due to stress then make sure you aren’t too tired to drive
- Check your mood with the anxiety / stress checker tool on Ben’s website to see how you’re feeling and if you need some extra support
- Tell someone you trust how you feel
View Ben’s top tips on managing stress for more information.
