DEFENSIVE DRIVING 101 SPENDING THE HOLIDAYS ALONE?
BOOST YOUR MOOD WITH THESE TIPS
Many Americans spend the holidays alone every year, and the pandemic has only made it more difficult for people to see their loved ones, as travel has become more restricted and strenuous. If you’re one of these people who are spending their first holiday season alone this year, here are a few strategies you can try to make the situation a little easier. Don’t hold yourself to the usual standards. One of the best things about spending the holidays alone is that you can do things your way. You don’t have to worry about meeting everyone else’s standards. Instead, you only have to make yourself happy. Simply telling yourself that you are not going to have the usual holiday environment can slightly help, but redefining what the holiday means to you can remove a huge weight. Trying new things or looking toward the future are great ways to reduce the stress of spending the holidays alone. Keeping up with old traditions may remind you of what you’re missing out on, so it can greatly help to create your own traditions. Plan ahead. If you know in advance that you’re going to be spending the holidays alone, planning ahead can prevent negative feelings. While being spontaneous can sometimes keep things fresh, it could leave you with a feeling of hopelessness about what to do next. There’s no need for your list to be extensive or highly detailed, but even just planning to watch a movie or cook some of your favorite dishes can give you something to look forward to. Take care of yourself. Just because you’re not seeing people during the holidays does not mean you should forgo your basic needs. Stick to your regular hygiene habits and do not let them get away from you. The same goes for eating and sleeping. Staying clean, well-fed, and well- rested goes a long way toward improving your happiness. As with all mental health advice, what works for some does not work for everyone. Do what you think will work best for you and help you keep your thoughts happy.
Defensive driving is more than just following traffic laws and procedures. It’s driving that allows you to protect yourself and other drivers on the road using safe strategies before an accident can occur. Follow these tips to get started on your journey to becoming a better and safer driver. Plan ahead. Defensive driving begins before your tires hit the road. Check weather conditions, how heavy traffic is, and the time of day that you will be driving. You want to leave yourself enough time to make your commute safe and not rushed. Feeling like you’re running behind can lead to road rage, faster driving, and quick decisions, which may cause an accident. Be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to what is going on around you. Check your mirrors frequently and look at what traffic is doing ahead of you. If cars are braking in front of you, begin to slow down rather than coming up on the vehicle in front of you at a high speed. This way, you have more room in case someone brakes hard behind you, and you can warn drivers behind you about an unexpected stop. Checking traffic in front of you and behind you also helps you find an escape route if needed. You will be able to maneuver your vehicle for the best chance of you seeing and being seen. Always leave yourself a way out and be sure to check your blind spots! Don’t depend on other drivers. On the road, you’re on your own. You can’t assume that a driver is going to move out of the way for you to merge or switch lanes or be courteous at all. Plan your moves by anticipating the worst-case scenario and assume the worst but hope for the best. Driving is a freedom that most people can enjoy, but while it can be fun to bust out the best car tunes and take the scenic route, driving comes with big responsibilities and can be dangerous. If you took the necessary precautions on the road and still end up in an accident, please call us at 817.775.5364 . We’re here to help you get the compensation you deserve after a crash.
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