Getting behind the wheel and navigating through traffic can cause anxiety and stress for some teen drivers. Approach drivers ed for teens with a positive attitude and proper preparation techniques to feel more confident and relaxed. Here are some tips and tricks that you can use to calm your nerves and improve your driving skills: 

Practice Deep Breathing

Taking deep breaths can be a great tool for calming anxiety during driver’s ed. Breath focus can help slow down your heart rate and clear your mind. When practicing deep breathing, sit comfortably with both feet flat on the floor. Focus on taking slow and steady breaths. Inhale through your nose and then exhale through the mouth. As you repeat this, concentrate on breathing deeply into your lower belly instead of just your chest. Allow your abdomen to expand fully as the air fills your lungs.

Visualize Success

Close your eyes and imagine yourself driving confidently, obeying traffic laws, and feeling calm and relaxed behind the wheel. Visualizing success may help build your confidence and reduce your anxiety. Visualization practices can also be performed during deep breathing exercises.

Prepare Physically

You can prepare physically for driver’s ed by getting a good night’s rest. Eat a snack and drink water before driving to have sufficient energy to focus. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes that won’t restrict your movement.

Take Baby Steps

Instead of jumping right into the driver’s seat, you can work up to it to help you feel more comfortable. You could start by familiarizing yourself with the car’s features or practicing parking in an empty car park. This may gradually help build confidence, reduce anxiety, and calm nerves.

Stay Focused

Driving can be stressful for teenagers because they feel overwhelmed by the number of things they need to keep track of. These things may include traffic signals, road signs, and other vehicles. To help stay focused while driving, you may choose to minimize distractions like conversation and music. You can also put your phone and other technological devices on silent while driving.

Ask Questions

Many teenage drivers may be hesitant to ask for help because they don’t want to appear inexperienced. Try to remember that everyone starts somewhere, and there’s nothing wrong with asking for clarification or guidance. Creating an open, supportive environment for discussing concerns with someone you trust may help you feel more confident while driving.

Practice Outside of Class

To master driving, practice outside of class and build up your confidence on the road. You can set aside time each week for additional practice sessions with an experienced driver beside you. This could include driving around a nearby parking lot or practicing parallel parking. You can gain the experience and skills you need to be a safe and confident driver by putting in the extra effort.

You can also practice common techniques and driving routines while sitting parked in the car. This could include focusing on the view in front of you while taking short glances at the speedometer or watching for pedestrians while scanning the surrounding traffic. 

Think Positive Thoughts

Staying positive while going through drivers Ed for teens may contribute to a calmer, more optimistic mindset. Look for support from family and friends. Having someone there for moral support and encouragement can help you stay motivated. Create a mindset of self-assurance by reminding yourself that you are capable. Break down your goals into manageable tasks. Tackling each task one at a time can help make things easier to handle and less overwhelming. Reward yourself when you reach milestones. Review your notes often to help you retain information from your driver’s education courses. Each of these things may help increase your positive thinking.

Enroll in Drivers Ed for Teens

Learning to drive can be a rewarding and empowering experience, but it can also be a time of stress and uncertainty. Deep breathing, focus, physical preparation, and positive thinking may help reduce anxiety in new drivers. Follow these tips and tricks for drivers Ed for teens to help you stay calm, focused, and confident behind the wheel.