Mental health is something that we are all discussing, but have you thought about the most surprising areas where mental health can impact your life? Driving is one of those things we all need to do, but if we are prone to anxiety or depression, does driving make it much more difficult? Let’s talk about how driving can have an impact on your mental health and also what you can do to minimize the risks.
Thinking “Away”
So many car accident attorneys talk about the dangers of distracted driving. In fact, it is the number one cause of accidents on the road. Many people are driving distracted because they are using their phones. If we are experiencing any form of depression or anxiety, we may not be focusing on the road at all. In an ideal world, we wouldn’t be driving. However, if we are experiencing some form of depression or anxiety, we can center ourselves. Driving is one of those things that can be beneficial because it distracts us from our own thoughts. When we think “away”, we may not give consideration to the fact that we’re not focused on the road. Zoning out can be extremely dangerous. Looking at our stress triggers can help us to start tackling the problem.
The Dangers of Fatigue
Fatigue is a very common trigger for experiencing low mental health. If you are tired because you drive a lot or you are working a stressful job you may feel that being in the car is the best time to get away. Pay attention to your triggers while on the road. Rush hour and reckless drivers can be the bain of your existence when not dealing with your own stress. Think about the best time of day to travel. Traffic jams can be frustrating, and if you feel that you become more anxious because of the stress of morning and evening commutes, you may want to start looking at waking up earlier, or hitting the gym next to work until traffic dies down. Think about making a more drastic arrangement like asking for a hybrid schedule or even working remotely. From personal experience, my productivity and mood have gone up since switching to working from home. If you don’t recognize the fact that you are tired, this could be more fatal on the road.
The Financial Pressures of a Car
Believe it or not, the financial pressures of owning a car can have an impact on our mental health. In most areas, cars are a necessity, we need to buy a car, but if it is something that doesn’t fit into your budget, then it definitely will not fit into your mental health. So many people need their car because it is their ticket to freedom, but if we’re not able to keep up with payments or we can’t maintain the vehicle appropriately, we have got to find other options. If you have financial pressures, getting rid of your car could make you happier in the long run. It’s important to remember that driving can impact our mental health. And while you may consider giving up your car, if you need your car, the question is, should you be doing more to look after your mental health?
