Advice from an Auto Repair Shop: 8 Ways to Reduce Driving Stress!

Getting stressed out when behind the wheel can turn a daily commute or a fun-filled road trip into a dangerous affair. Take the advice from an auto repair shop on some ways you can reduce stress while driving. Don't find yourself needing major auto repair because of a stress-related accident.

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Because it is easy to let the little things throughout the day create a stressful and unpleasant drive, here are eight tips from an auto repair shop that can help reduce driving-related stress:

1. Go Zen – Make your car a calming oasis for a long daily commute or an extended road trip--an air freshener with essential oils, a massaging seat cover, or subdued music. Remove items that might distract you, such as a water bottle rolling around in the back seat; and a ringing phone (put it in driving mode, or silence it altogether).
2. Give Yourself Extra Time – Allow yourself extra time to get where you're going, including a 'getting lost' buffer for new destinations. If you are running late, remember that getting into an accident or getting pulled over is considerably worse than being late!
3. Know Your Route -- With smart phones and in-dash navigation, it's easy to start your trip without a second thought. But checking the route in advance means you get a jump on any major construction or traffic delays.
4. Keep Snacks On Hand -- Being stuck in a car and being hungry can cause irritable and stressful behavior. Keep non-perishable snacks, like energy bars or nuts, in the car for emergency situations.
5. Entertain the Kids -- Bored children are noisy children. Minimize in-car fighting or grumpy behavior by having games, videos, or other entertainment methods on hand.
6. Be Prepared -- Try to prepare for things that make you nervous, like parallel parking, reversing, or turning, and you'll find that you'll be much less stressed out when you encounter them in real-life driving situations.
7. Use Technology -- Safety systems, like rearview cameras and blind spot warning systems, can take the pressure out of stressful driving situations.
8. Recognize Stress -- If you start to recognize the symptoms of stress, such as a death-grip on the wheel or hunched over the wheel, deliberately relax your hands and fingers, and try leaning back. If necessary, pullover for a minute and relax.

Remember that your life or the lives of others could be at risk if you are stressed while driving.

Looking for a professional auto repair shop? Contact the ASE Certified Technicians at Precision Automotive today by calling (406) 248-2838, or go on-line to www.pricesprecisionauto.com for more information about their auto repair services. Our Tech-Net professional auto center in Billings, MT, also services vehicle owners in the areas of Shepherd and Laurel, MT.