If you are having difficulty remaining calm, try closing your eyes and counting out ten breaths.
Check the news or your social media on your phone. You can also play a game. Keep a stress ball in the car, and squeeze it when you are nervous. Look out the passenger side window instead of the windshield.
For example, you might repeat in your head, “Everything will be alright. We’ll get there safely. ” You might also try saying, “Relax. It’s just some bad traffic. You can get through this. ”
Gripping the safety handle. Tapping on the center console. Exhaling loudly out of your mouth.
For example, you might not want to argue about how they stole a parking spot, but you should point out if they nearly hit another driver.
If possible, start the conversation showing appreciation to your partner for driving. Instead of starting complaining about what they are doing, simply share how you feel. When we are scared, it’s normal to either fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. Do your best to express to your partner how their actions link to how you feel in yourself with clarity. You might say, “I’m a little nervous right now. Would you mind slowing down?” You might also try stating something like, “That sudden turn back there startled me. ” Try to end the conversation saying something like, “I know you may not see it the same way but I really need your help in this. "
You might say, “Is there something bothering you?” You might also state, “Is there a reason why you’re getting mad at the other drivers?”
You might say, “Try not to worry about the time. We’ll get there when we get there. ” If you have reservations or an appointment somewhere, offer to call ahead to let them know you will be late. You can also call friends or family members that you’re meeting.
After the drive, you might say, “Hey, can we talk about what happened on the road today?”
Use Google or Apple Maps to trace the fastest route to your destination. If you are going somewhere with a website, check it for information about parking, traffic, and landmarks. If you are traveling on a highway or major road, you may want to look up traffic reports before you leave to see if there are any delays.
Cognitive Behavioral therapy can be used to teach how to safely deal with your anxiety while in the car. Exposure therapy will put you in similar situations so that you can desensitize yourself to your partner’s driving. If you have anxiety as a passenger in the car, bus, subway, or other vehicles, no matter who is driving, you may have amaxophobia. This phobia may cause anxiety, panic attacks, or extreme fear when you are riding as a passenger. [12] X Research source
Never get in the car if your partner is drunk or under the influence of drugs. If you have children, consider whether or not you feel safe with them in the same car as your partner. You should let your partner know that they need to change. You can say, “When we drive together, I feel scared and unsafe because of how aggressive you become. I am worried we will get into an accident one day. From now on, I want to drive. ”
