245: Bridges, Traffic, and Left Turns: Why Driving Anxiety Isn’t Actually About Driving (And How to Fix It)

Have you ever found yourself taking a 20-minute detour just to avoid a single bridge, or white-knuckling the steering wheel at a red light, convinced you won’t "make it" until it turns green?I spent years in that exact cycle. Living in Maine, I was surrounded by highway exits that were only two miles apart—yet even those two minutes felt like absolute torture. I would obsessively tell myself, "I just need to make it to the next exit," only to pass it and start the mental spiral all over again. If you’ve been avoiding certain routes, mapping out every pull-over spot, or needing a "safe person" in the car just to get to the store, this conversation is for you.In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on why driving feels so life-limiting right now. Spoiler alert: It’s not actually about your ability to drive. It’s about the fear of being stuck, trapped, and unable to handle the anxiety if it shows up. Whether you struggle with highways, planes, or trains, the core mechanics are the same, and once you understand them, you can start taking the healthy steps to get your freedom back.HERE'S WHAT TO SAY TO YOUR BRAIN WHEN YOU'RE SPIRALING: https://ahealthypush.myflodesk.com/calmpanicTAKE MY FREE QUIZ AND FIND OUT WHAT'S CAUSING YOU TO STAY STUCK: https://www.ahealthypush.com/blocking-quizA HEALTHY PUSH INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/ahealthypush/GET THIS EPISODE'S SHOW NOTES: https://www.ahealthypush.com/post/fixing-driving-anxiety