How do i relax?

Question

I have a driving test coming up in a few days and i suffer terribley with nerves, im a capable driver and can pass easily. However the nerves will kick in and i will fail. My brother suffers really badly also from nerves, especially when preparing for exams or interviews etc. He normally has a few drinks just to get himself tipsy and he is relaxed and the nerves dont affect him.

I can see this as my only option, however im not really a big drinker so i dont know what drinks are depressants and which are stimulants. I need a good depressive drink that i can drink but which wont make me sick as i dont want to be sick on the examiner.

Any help you can give me? My test is on Friday.

Answer 1

I would echo the sentiments of some other answers about drinking before a driving test not being an ideal solution. For the written part, it may be an option as long as someone else drives you there, but if you have to take the driving part at the same time, forget it. Try deep breathing, make sure you listen to soothing music as opposed to talk radio or even rock/rap/R&B. In terms of things you can take to help calm you, a lot of people swear by green tea. Some recommend St. John's Wort. Personally, I suggest you plan out your day so you can have a nice breakfast out somewhere, something you really like. Make the trip to take your driving test part of a day where you treat yourself to things you enjoy. Regardless of how you do, plan to go see a movie (maybe "Cars" would not be the best choice, but then again, maybe so depending upon your sense of humor) and eat out. If you plan to have a nice day regardless of what happens, you likely can look forward to Friday a lot easier.

One last thought, and I know this might not be an option. If you are older, and have someone you love, it might help to snuggle the night before. Not knowing your age or situation, I won't say anymore than that, and all apologies if that was inappropriate.

Answer 2

Well, I certainly don't advise taking a few drinks or your biggest problem won't be passing a driving test but getting out of jail.

Anxiety can be a real downer but it's all in the thinking. You need to retrain your thought processes. When you think to yourself, "what if I mess up by turning too fast or slam on the brakes too hard...or" Just say (in your head) "but I won't". You won't either, because your aware of all these possibilities and will go slowly and do them the correct way. When you project a positive, you bring positive energy into your space and positive things happen. The same when you project negative.......so avoid all negative thought. You can do this by reminding yourself that this is NOT the most important thing in the world. If it doesn't work out the first time, you can try again in a short time. Breathe now.........inhale deeply and hold it, let all that clear sweet air circulate through your body pushing out all darknesses. .With the driving test, you can keep trying until you eventually get it. No big deal!

All anyone can do about anything is their very best and then it is in the hands of fate. So, if you know you've practiced and know what to do...........that's it. Leave it alone. Do other things and feel confident you'll succeed.

P.S
It doesn't hurt to say this little prayer to the God of your understanding - just before beginning whatever venture you are on:
"Please, God, remove my fear and align me with your peace."

It always works for me.

Good luck to you!

Answer 3

Do not drink before the test bad idea (drink driving!) You will fail! Your reactions will be slower in a test, you would be wasting your time and money!

From experience i took three times till i passed my test, each one i acted different in preparation, just relax don't worry about it and just go with the flow! It will all work out fine!

Infact my four test which i passed i was not nervous and i made mistakes but the instructor could see i was a good driver, and i have touch wood never had an accident sicne the age of 18, and now i'm 24, all my firends who passed first time wrote off cars, crashed, got done for all a matter of offences! So don't worry and just chill!

Answer 4

First of all, drinking before a driving test might get you banned from driving for life. I wouldn't do that.

The thing with being jittery is that most of the time, it's all in your head. Try some deep breathing excercises, inhaling through your nose and releasing the air through your mouth to the count of five.

Try some positive feedback. It seems you've convinced yourself to be nervous and since that's where your head is, that's where your body wants to go.

Look in the mirror and do a little "Self talk"-quietly so nobody thinks you are nutty. Tell yourself you are a good, not just capable driver and that you are going to pass the test.

Try "Visualization." Close your eyes, relax and see yourself behind the wheel, cool and calm and the BMV guy handing you your license. Do this several times a day and think about it just before you go to sleep.

This stuff works!!

Answer 5

Gawd, don't drink on your test, you'll get an immediate failure..at least here in Oz, I expect it's the same elsewhere. I was exactly the same as you. Really terrified, shaking, throwing up and feeling dizzy. Just go through the motions and tell yourself the feelings will pass (over and over) Let the examiner know you are terrified (takes a bit of pressure off) and talk to yourself in ''the hypnosis voice''.It's a great trick..Slowly..''I am (pause) beginning (pause) to feel more calm (pause) this (pause) is not (pause) so bad'' This works like magic, slowing your breathing rate (you begin to exhale naturally on the pauses) and therefore allowing you to relax. Soon you'll be focusing less on yourself and more on the driving.
Otherwise I guess there are beta-blockers (on prescription) but you would have to go to your GP and also have a try-out on them in advance to see how they effect you and your driving.
Good luck!

Answer 6

You muppet! If your instructor or examiner smell drink on you, your licence won't be coming along any time soon. Why fret over wether or not someone gives you a piece of paper, saying you can drive a small car slowly? Every damn day on the roads is a driving test, the penalty for failiure is serious injury, or death, of you and maybe many others. If you can't get your clear, clean, and sober head around that, keep the frack of MY road, Bozo, we don't need any more dope-heads out there.

Answer 7

Um, hello??? Drinking before a DRIVING test is absolutely a bad idea. If you have time before Friday, consult with your family doctor. They may be able to recommend some medicines, herbs, or breathing techniques that may help your nerves. Good luck!!

Answer 8

I passed my driving test about 3 years ago, and was also really nervous about it.

my mum gave me a tiny piece of advice - the same advice she gave to my sister when she took her test - we took her advice and we both passed first time - and she did the very same thing about 20 years earlier...

this advice...

take 2 paracetemols about an hour before you take your test. because of nerves, you get bad headache and this only makes it worse. take 2 paracetemols and take slow deep breathes throughout.

also, I found it easier not to talk to my examiner. my instructor would advise me to answer his/her questions then shut up, so you can concentrate.

oh - and don't drink any alcohol - you haven't even started driving yet and you're already gonna be banned - honestly, smarten up!

good luck!

Answer 9

Try breathing slowly just before your start the engine in no time you will be 2 busy concentrating on what you are doing to notice nerves. Also recomend that you try Kalms they are a herbal relaxant that doesnt make you drowsy. You can buy them from any chemist. Good luck.

Answer 10

Just let yourself be nervous. It's that simple. The driving test does not require that you be relaxed. All the test requires is that you know the stuff that you need to know. So, be nerveous and take it real slow. If you know what you need to know, then you will pass.