Tips on how to deal with driving anxiety during rush hour (AM/PM)
I'm 26F, recently developed some driving anxiety which I believe stemmed from accidents caused by other drivers. I've been driving since I was 16, but never had driving anxiety until now. Since October, I've avoided morning rush hour by going to the gym before work. I find that driving in the morning is less hectic than the afternoon, but there are occasional situations like someone tailgating, or weaving around traffic. Driving after work is where I notice my anxiety spike, I guess the accumulation of cars and traffic does something. I also live in a school zone where the speed limit is 30 km/h until 10 PM (school days), I follow the posted limit but sometimes get tailgaters until I turn onto my street.
I'm always driving on the right lane unless needing to pass or make a left turn. I've been going to therapy for this issue and it's helped a bit, but I still get severe heart palpitations when I notice someone following too close. My therapist asked what about driving causes my anxiety and I can't really link it to anything but my accidents. I'm basically at a gridlock and unable to pinpoint the reason as to why I get so bothered by other drivers.
How do you deal with:
-People tailgating you?
-Aggressive drivers?
-Just driving anxiety in general?
-Driving during rush hour?