Anxiety about car breaking down – How to Overcome It

 anxiety about car breaking down

Anxiety about car breaking down – How to Overcome It

Anxiety about car breaking down – Have you just completed your driving lessons and are ready to get behind the wheel? Well, congratulations! Driving is always a thrilling experience. But while you might be excited to get behind the wheel and control a powerful machine, the anxiety about your car breaking down could spoil the entire experience. Most car breakdown-related anxiety usually affects people who have had a bad experience before. So, if you have anxiety about your car breaking down, chances are that you have faced this challenge before. But how can you overcome the anxiety about your car breaking down? Continue reading to find out.

 

Why do people have car breakdown anxiety?

 

Anxiety about car breaking down – Before we tell how to overcome car breakdown anxiety, let us first discuss how people develop car breakdown anxiety. The main reason why people develop breakdown anxiety is that they have experienced the problem before or they know of a person who experienced the problem and how it affected them. It is estimated that 30% of people experience car breakdown anxiety after experiencing the problem. So, if you are suffering from car breakdown anxiety, then the chance is that you experience a similar problem before.

Cars are not perfect, they can develop mechanical problems that may leave you stuck for hours. The unfortunate thing about car breakdowns is that they mostly occur at the time when you least expect it. Every experienced driver knows that their car can break down anytime and are usually prepared to deal with the situation in case it happens. However, some people are constantly worried because they don’t know what to do in case their car breaks down in the middle of the road. It is normal to occasionally worry about being stuck in the middle of the road because your vehicle has developed mechanical issues.

 

However, if you worry too much to the point where you are afraid of driving, then you are suffering from car breakdown anxiety. Car breakdown anxiety, like any other form of anxiety, can make your heart pump faster and also make you sweat a lot while driving. This is not a good thing because it may decrease your concentration thus increasing the chances of being involved in a road accident.

 

Tips on how to overcome car breakdown anxiety – Anxiety about car breaking down

 

  • Know the cause of your anxiety

 

You can only treat a disease if you know its cause. The same thing also applies to anxiety. The most effective way to get rid of car breakdown anxiety is by identifying its root cause. Car-related anxiety does not just happen, it has a trigger. You need to sit down and reevaluate to determine what made you develop car breakdown anxiety. Is it because of past experience or is it because of the condition of the car?

 

When you determine what really caused the problem, then you will easily come up with solutions that will help you overcome the problem.

 

  • Ensure your car is well maintained

 

One of the reasons why you have car breakdown anxiety is because you are not sure if your car is in good condition or not. If that is the case, then you need to take your car to a reputable mechanic for a thorough checkup and repair. If the condition of your car is what is making you have car breakdown anxiety, then fixing it is one step to overcoming the problem. When you are confident of your car’s mechanical condition, then you are less likely to experience car breakdown anxiety. Maintaining your car on a regular basis will also prevent you from incurring huge repair and maintenance expenses in the future.

 

  • Practice deep breathing

 

Another great way to get rid of car breakdowns is by practicing deep anxiety. This practice is highly recommended, especially for people who had past breakdown issues that made them develop anxiety. Deep breathing will help to calm your nerves as well as relax your muscles. When you breathe slower and more deeply, you will signal your nervous system to calm down and that will help to lessen your stress and anxiety. Always do a deep breathing exercise before you start driving. It will help you to relax and thus help you get rid of car breakdown anxiety.

 

  • Have someone with you

 

If you are anxious about your car breaking down, then you should not drive alone. Instead, you should have someone that you trust in the car. Having someone in the car will help calm you down. You should explain to the person about your situation so that he/she can know how to help you when you are anxious. The person will talk to you and encourage you when you are nervous. You will also feel more relaxed when you have someone next to you.

 

How do you know if your car is about to break down?

 

Common signs that indicate that your car is about to break down include:

 

  • Your oil is running low

 

  • The check engine light is on

 

  • The brake looks or smells funny

 

  • Your tire treads are worn out

 

  • Your car has not been maintained for a long time

 

  • Your car is producing weird sounds

 

How do I get over severe car anxiety?

 

  • Understand what triggered your anxiety

 

  • Find a mental health professional to help you cope with car anxiety

 

  • Try relaxation techniques such as positive affirmation and deep breathing to help relax your muscles and nerves.

 

Final thoughts – Anxiety about car breaking down

 

Anxiety about car breaking down – Car breakdown anxiety can happen to anyone including experienced drivers. If you suffer from this problem, then you may not enjoy driving. You will also be at risk of being involved in an accident. Fortunately, this problem is not permanent, you can overcome it if you follow the tips given above. The trick to overcoming driving anxiety is by first acknowledging that you have the problem and then finding the root cause of the problem. Once you know what caused the problem, then it will be much easier to find a solution that will help you overcome the problem. In case you are not able to overcome the problem by yourself, don’t hesitate to seek help from a professional.

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