Driving is an important rite of passage for many people, and the prospect of taking your driving test can be nerve-wracking for even the most experienced driver. Nerves are a natural part of life and are a sign that something is important to you. They can appear in many different scenarios and situations, such as tests, exams, and assessments.
Nerves often manifest as physical symptoms, such as a dry mouth, sweaty palms, dizziness, and butterflies in the stomach. These symptoms, while uncomfortable, are manageable for most people.
However, when nerves become excessive, they can tip over into anxiety, and the symptoms become much more intense and uncomfortable. Symptoms of anxiety include all of the nervous symptoms mentioned above, but bigger, more intense, and more uncomfortable. Additionally, anxiety can cause symptoms such as a tight chest, a racing heart, a sense of doom, fear, panic, vision problems, tingling, and disorientation.
It’s important to remember that experiencing nerves and anxiety is normal and is something that many people experience. It’s important to take care of yourself and to remind yourself that it’s okay to feel nervous. There are many techniques to manage nerves and anxiety, such as deep breathing, visualisation, mindfulness, and hypnotherapy.
Helen: The Anxiety Coach
Meet Helen, a fully qualified female hypnotherapist and BWRT practitioner based in Penrith, Cumbria. With a background in holistic therapy and working for the NHS as a radiographer, Helen specialises in helping individuals overcome anxiety, panic, fears, phobias and negative habits. She also offers training to university students on managing anxiety and stress. Helen is dedicated to helping individuals improve their mental well-being and overcome obstacles that are holding them back.
If you find that your nerves or anxiety are affecting your ability to take your driving test, it may be beneficial to seek professional help. A qualified hypnotherapist, such as myself, can work with you to help you manage your nerves and anxiety so that you can take your driving test with confidence.
In addition to her expertise in hypnotherapy, Helen also has experience in psychotherapy, which she studied to enhance her ability to support individuals with more sensitive issues such as self-defeating behaviours, stress, and anxiety.
Meet Helen Video
Helen’s Tips: What can I do in preparation for my driving test?
As the day of your driving exam approaches, it’s normal to feel a little nervous or anxious. But did you know there are some simple tools and techniques you can use to help calm those nerves?
Here are a few to try:
In addition to these tools and techniques, there are also some other simple things you can do to help calm your nerves before your driving exam. Try listening to your favourite music, an audiobook, or a guided meditation. Reading a book or magazine can also be a great way to take your mind off things. Taking a bath or shower can also be a good way to relax and unwind. Remember, it’s important to find what works best for you and make it a part of your pre-exam routine. With the right preparation and mindset, you’ll be able to tackle that exam with confidence.
As you are sitting waiting for the examiner, try some of the tips mentioned above, most are very portable. If you like a particular one then practise it often before your test day, as you will be aware, the more you practise something the easier and more automatic it becomes.
If you find that anxiety has crept in and you feel you can’t cope, then I can help you to remove those negative symptoms. Once they have been removed you can then perform to the best of your ability during your driving test.
How can Helen help you further
One-to-one therapy
If you’re struggling with excessive nerves during your driving test, you’re not alone. Many people experience anxiety, stress, and panic before their test, and it can be difficult to know how to cope. That’s why I’ve created a mini-program called “Calm Mind Calm Driving Test” to help anyone who is struggling with excessive driving test nerves.
The program consists of 2 sessions, the first of which is a talking session where we really delve into the root of your excessive nerves. During this session, I’ll spend some time explaining how our brains work in relation to anxiety, stress, panic, fears, and nerves, and why it can be difficult to “just calm down”. I’ll also help you to identify the specific triggers that are causing your nerves so that we can address them directly.
The second session is focused on removing the negative feelings associated with your nerves and creating a sense of calm. This session will be tailored to your specific needs and may include techniques such as deep breathing, visualisation, and mindfulness. The goal is to help you feel more in control of your nerves so that you can approach your driving test with confidence.
The sessions will range from 45 minutes up to 2 hours and will cost £179.
It’s important to note that this program is not a substitute for professional help in case of severe mental health conditions. However, it is designed to give you the tools and techniques to manage your nerves and improve your chances of success on the day of your driving test. If you’re struggling with excessive nerves and want to feel more in control, this programme may be the perfect solution for you.
Online Anxiety Programme
If you’re not sure that one-to-one therapy is what you need, you may want to consider an online program that you can go through at your own pace. That’s where my Calm Mind, Calm Body online anxiety program comes in. This program is designed to remove anxiety and is perfect for excessive driving nerves and driving anxieties.
The content is approximately 2 hours long and it can vary from person to person how long it takes to complete. Some lessons may need repeating if there is more than one symptom of anxiety.
The program costs £99. Click here to book
If you’re not sure if therapy is the right path for you, I offer a free phone chat where you can ask any questions and we can discuss the best way for you to move forward and remove the excessive nerves around your driving test. Click here to book your free chat.
