How to Get Over Snow Anxiety

Whether you are new to the area or a seasoned snow driver, driving on ice and snow can be challenging and downright nauseating. Sliding tires, loss of traction, speeding cars, and icy roads all edge us closer and closer to an anxiety attack. What are the best strategies to conquer winter-driving phobia?

Signs You May Have Winter-Driving Anxiety

You know the feeling when you see the weather forecast or look out the window and see the white stuff. If you have anxiety, you will recognize the obsessive habits.

• Checking your phone or the weather constantly
• Calling in sick to avoid driving
• Hyperventilating when behind the wheel
• Rapid heartbeat and sweating when driving
• Crying when driving or thinking about driving

Tips to Help You Manage Snow Driving Anxiety

If you become anxious when you have to drive in the snow, consider a few tips to make your drive a little easier and stress-free.

1. Don’t start the drive with dread. You need to put yourself in the mindset to drive. Talk to yourself to calm yourself down. Remind yourself that you are going to make it and that you are a confident, capable driver. If you feel anxious, take at least three deep breaths.
2. Leave early. Give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination. If you have to, leave before or after commuting traffic is less severe on the road.
3. When you are driving, don’t allow panicked reactions to drive the car. You are in control. Many times your initial reaction is to slam on the brakes, but your brakes can do more harm than good in many situations.
4. Practice safe-driving techniques: stay at least 12 seconds behind the car in front of you, accelerate slowly, give yourself extra time to stop, and slow way down before you turn or move to the side, and wear your seatbelt.
5. Take a driver’s education class that focuses on winter driving.

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