Any special tricks for grounding yourself while you drive?

For me this is my most unsafe time when I am driving. Sometimes chewing cinnamon gum will help because it is hot and I don't normally chew gum.

Any good ideas?

I listen to audiobooks when I drive so that I don't float entirely away. For driving back after therapy, it has to be a story that really had my interest. I can't start a new one then, or I'll be gone and won't hear it at all, or remember that I'm driving. Gum can help too. Also, asking yourself questions about the scenery and consciously making an effort to notice it. And singing out loud.

T had me get a kitchen timer so it would go off every few minutes or so, depending how bad I needed to focus. I set it to go off every 3 minutes when I first started. It really worked well.

She also had me call and leave her voicemails, telling her where I was, what I saw, that kind of stuff.

I tap the steering wheel - sing to a prechosen cd - make it a bit chilli in the car with the windows open and say things I see - not all at the same time silly! although...

take care

When I drive that is the worst time, especially when I drive the road that I went on Rt 17. To stop myself I usually engage in a conversation with my mother. I only go to therapy by myself, and sometimes I get lost in thought and will literally get lost.

Funny that I am reading this post tonight because I almost crashed my car today on the highway. My office moved an hour away. The commute is a drag but I never thought it was going to be a problem. This is the first time something serious ever happened on the road, it really scared me.

I always listen to music or audio books and today I was listening to music. I think the music was boring and I was tired and did not hear the music anymore and then bang ...

I drive a convertible so when the weather gets nice I can put the top down. On a nice day that always grounds me, the warm sun, the wind! For now I have to try to be more careful.

Xtree

Good thoughts all.

I too often space out when driving, I know to a certain extent that is normal. However, one time I had spaced out really long and when I snapped out of it, I totally forgot where I was going. I had to think and think and then finally remembered where I needed to be. I had driven right pass the place I had been to many times before.
This time I was totally confused when I came to. I had already missed where I needed to be and ended up back on the highway. I actually had to take a piece of paper out with the address on it to remind me where I was going. The strange thing is I had been there so many times before, I knew exactly where it was. That event was very scary.

I have never even thought of having tactics while driving. I typically just listen to music. While I do space out, I usually always get to where I need to be, only it seems as though I get there much faster due to spacing out.

Hangingon

For some listening to music helps them zone out and not realize the time they are spending driving, so do be careful.

It's important to actively "drive" imo. Think about the driving...check your mirrors every 7 seconds like they teach to do. Be aware of how far back from the car in front of you you are. Check your speedometer. Adjust your body to feel more comfortable. Read the street signs, acknowledge the speed limit and informational signage. See the other drivers, and work at learning their intentions. Driving is a real task, and needs attention to do so safely consistently.

TC

I drive with my stereo blasting and singing to the music. The windows at least down some no matter how cold or rainy. Recently almost had a wreck b\c I had my folks in the car with me and didn't do the things i usually do and almost wrecked b\c I zoned out bad.....the only thing to keep my from crashing were my screaming parents.

Two marbles placed down by the ashtray so that they roll back and forth particularly when you are going round the bend. Works for me!