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Life, Lifestyle, Tips

How to Improve Your Flight or Fight Response When Driving

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driving, teens, road safety, fight or flight, accidents

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The chances are pretty high that you’re more than familiar with the Fight or Flight response; your adrenaline starts pumping, your pupils dilate, you think fast, you even become more agile, and for some, that’s when the anger hits. It’s not just when we see something scary that could endanger us; this actually happens far more than you might even expect. If you’re dealing with this, it can be hard to enjoy your driving experience. 

Yes, driving can sometimes trigger our body’s innate fight or flight response, especially in challenging or unexpected situations (and yes, driving is loaded with them). While this response is a natural mechanism designed to keep us safe, it can lead to anxiety and stress on the road. if you’re planning to book drive test, then you especially need to make sure that you get this under control. You need to think clearly, think smart, and be safe if this hits. 

It takes time to develop this, too. So, with that said, here are some effective strategies to help you improve your fight or flight response when driving, promoting a more relaxed and confident experience behind the wheel.

Start Off By Practicing Controlled Breathing Techniques

Chances are so high you’ve heard of breathing exercises so many times for relaxation. The advice gets old, but you need to keep in mind that this actually works! Yep, you read that right; it really does work! Controlled breathing is a powerful tool to calm the nervous system. When you feel stress mounting while driving, take deep breaths in through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth. Focus on your breath, allowing it to slow down, which can signal to your body that there is no imminent threat.

You Need to Plan and Prepare

One thing you have to keep in mind is that preparation is key to managing the fight or flight response. It’s really going to help out if you’re able to just plan your routes in advance, check weather and traffic conditions, and ensure your vehicle is in good working order. So, with that said, being well-prepared can reduce the uncertainty that often triggers stress on the road.

Understand It Happens Less Over Time

Alright, so when you first start driving, all of those little things could scare you to the point where you might need a break. Close call to having an accident? Yeah, something like that could truly cause the flight or fight response to come out. But over time, these things might happen more, and if they do, you can usually expect to become less scared. It’s entirely natural.

Limit Distractions Wherever You Can

Something else you’re really going to want to think about would be to minimize distractions that are within your control. But what exactly does this mean? Well, these can be things such as adjusting in-car settings before driving and silencing your phone. What exactly does this have to do with the flight or fight response, though? Well, a focused and uncluttered environment can help you better manage unexpected situations without overwhelming your fight-or-flight response.

Lifestyle

All The Right Additions To Enhance Your Driving Experience

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From the comfort of your luxury car to its performance and power, it is important to have all the right additions when it comes to driving. Whether you’re an urban commuter or a weekend warrior, these simple add-ons can make all the difference in enjoying your time behind the wheel. From increasing safety to enhancing convenience and ensuring you’re getting the most out of your vehicle, here are some great ideas for customizing your ride.

Technology Upgrades

A technology upgrade is one of the best ways to customize your ride. Most modern cars come equipped with all sorts of gadgets, but plenty of great add-ons can make driving much more enjoyable and efficient. For example, a good navigation system will help you find your destination quickly and safely, no matter where you’re headed. And if you want to stay connected while on the go, Bluetooth and music streaming capabilities can keep you entertained in the car. Additionally, rear-view cameras can give drivers added vision when parallel parking or even backing out of a driveway.

Photo by JULIO  NERY:

Interior Enhancements

The interior of your car can be the first thing people notice when they get inside, so why not make sure it looks its best? A good set of floor mats can help protect the original carpeting and keep dirt and debris at bay. You may also consider updating the look with a new dashboard or custom seat covers matching your style. If you’re looking for some added comfort, heated seats are always pleasant on cold winter days.

Exterior Aesthetic Modifications

The exterior of your car is an extension of yourself and can be customized to fit your personality. These Standard Bumper Sticker Size stickers are a great way to make a statement on the road. Some companies even offer personalized stickers with images and text, so you can customize your own message or logo. Racing stripes, tinted windows, and custom wheels are other popular upgrades that will give your ride an individualized look. Don’t forget about lighting. Upgrading to LED headlights can improve visibility and offer a modern, futuristic look. Or, if you want to add some flair, neon underglow lights are becoming increasingly popular with drivers who want to make their car stand out from the crowd. Some companies can even use Vinyl to wrap a car to change the color without you having to resort to an expensive paint job.

Safety Additions

Safety is always a top priority when it comes to driving, so don’t forget to add life-saving features to your car. High-tech blind spot sensors can alert you if there’s something in your peripheral vision that you cannot see. Tire pressure monitors are also important for maintaining optimal traction and avoiding blowouts or flats on the open road. If you plan on taking long trips, emergency kits containing first aid supplies, flares, batteries and flashlights should be stored in your trunk just in case of an unexpected breakdown or emergency.

No matter how you customize your ride, always remember to prioritize safety and stay within the laws of your state. Enjoying a comfortable and well-equipped car can make all the difference in having an enjoyable driving experience. So upgrade wisely and get out on the open road!

Lifestyle

Is It Time To Give Up These Bad Driving Habits?

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There are many driving behaviors that can be expensive or potentially dangerous if they become a habit. Driving instructors will often try to discourage us from developing these habits while learning and hope that we will keep them up after we have gained our license, perhaps having waited for test cancellations to become available to take the test sooner. That said, many of us still end up adopting these bad habits after years of driving. Below are some examples of bad driving habits that are worth breaking. If you are just starting out, avoid these bad habits:

Tailgating

Driving close behind the vehicle in front is known as tailgating. The biggest danger of tailgating is that it increases your chance of hitting the vehicle in front if the driver has to do an emergency brake. Using a car accident lawyer like John Foy & Associates, the driver may file an injury lawsuit if you hit them and cause them whiplash. On top of the cost of having to repair your vehicle, the cost of this lawsuit could be financially crippling and is something you definitely want to avoid. 

Not using blinkers

Using turn signals is a legal requirement across the US whenever changing direction, and yet some people rarely use them. While your road position can sometimes tell drivers where you plan to go, turn signals are a much clearer indicator of what you plan to do. Make sure to use them to prevent unnecessary accidents. 

Speeding

Almost all of us are guilty of occasionally speeding. However, it shouldn’t be something you do all the time – and certainly not at speeds that are clearly dangerous. If you’ve already got yourself a speeding ticket or got in an accident due to speeding, it could be a clear sign that you need to slow down. Check out these tips for preventing speeding at Infinity Auto.

Driving under the influence

Drinking alcohol can slow down your reactions and increase your risk of being in an accident. Driving with an alcohol blood count of 0.08% or higher is also illegal across the US – in some states you could lose your licence and pay a big fine if you’re caught. 

Using your phone while driving

Phones are a huge distraction when driving and can also increase your risk of being involved in an accident. Just like driving under the influence, using a phone while driving is illegal in most states and can carry heavy penalties. 

Not checking tires

A lot of drivers don’t check their tires enough – including checking the pressure and checking for wear. Driving on damaged or underinflated tires can have all kinds of negative consequences from increasing the risk of a blowout to reducing fuel efficiency, so it’s worth regularly checking your tires (especially before a long journey). 

Riding the clutch

A common bad habit among drivers of manual cars is riding the clutch. This is when you leave some pressure on the clutch even when it’s already in gear. Riding the clutch is a big cause of premature clutch wear so is a habit worth ironing out. 

Driving over potholes

Potholes aren’t always possible to avoid driving over, however if you have a chance to swerve around them you should. Regularly driving over potholes can increase the risk of developing tire and suspension problems. 

Ignoring warning lights

Warning lights are there to warn you of problems with your vehicle (some of which could be dangerous), so don’t ignore them. While some warning lights can be the result of an electrical problem, it’s safer to get them checked out by a mechanic before assuming this. 

Revving the engine while cold

Revving the motor in cold weather can help your engine to warm up faster, but it can also cause a lot of damage to your engine. In cold weather, it’s generally better to leave the engine running for a couple minutes before putting your foot on the gas. This is a much less damaging way to warm up the engine.