Drivers are being urged to look after their mental health as roads get busier and the world reopens this summer.

Car rental experts at StressFreeCarRental.com are offering motorists tips to help improve their mental headspace on the road.

When a vehicle has a blip, the fix is usually easy to identify. However, if the person behind the wheel’s mental health needs a service, it is a lot harder to spot.

Driving, especially on busy roads, and daily life can bring about emotions, stresses, and anxieties. A driver’s mental wellbeing is crucial to keeping them safe when they’re behind the wheel.

Things weighing on your mind and mental health issues can cause a range of physical symptoms, including an unsettled stomach, headaches, and a lack of sleep.

A spokesperson for StressFreeCarRental.com said: “Commuters are back on the roads, summer holiday traffic could hit a high with staycations, and many essential workers who have stayed on the roads are getting busier and busier.

“As the roads are getting more congested, the chances of frustration and outbursts are higher. Having a calm mind when driving will help alleviate some of these issues and allow you to react sensibly.

“Having problems with your mental health isn’t unusual, especially in this post-pandemic climate. Diagnosed conditions should be declared through the DVLA. It is quick and easy to check with them.”

StressFreeCarRental.com’s guide to mindfulness for motorists:

1. Good sleep

A lack of sleep can have a severe impact on physical and mental health. When our body and mind is rested, we are more likely to deal with minor stresses better. Not getting enough sleep can cause a negative mood, low energy, difficulty concentrating, and a general inability to function as usual. Therefore, having a good rest before embarking on longer journeys is very important.

2. Breathe

Practising mindfulness techniques before embarking on a task that makes you feel anxious or stressed will help regulate your breathing and heart rate. Mindful breathing involves a person becoming aware of the way they breathe and focusing on it. The act of focusing doesn’t change the way you breathe, but it makes you pay particular attention to how air moves in and out of the lungs, mouth, and nose, making you feel more relaxed.

3. Advanced driving course

It wouldn’t be strange for occasional motorists to feel worried about getting back behind the wheel more, especially as traffic gets back to normal. If driving or being on the road is one of the things causing drivers anxieties or stress, taking an advanced driving course could be a great idea to boost confidence and improve skills. Courses cost around £200 and can specialise in tricky areas of driving like motorways, rush hour and travelling in the dark.

4. Clear your mind

Exercise can be great for calming our bodies and clearing our minds. Before a long journey, or before doing something that will inevitably bring on stress, it is a good idea to stretch your legs and get some air in your lungs. A peaceful walk through the park, a short yoga routine or a jog with pace will help clear stressful thoughts from your head.

5. Regular vehicle checks

People get anxious for a range of reasons when behind the wheel, whether that’s external factors outside the car, concerns about arriving on time or even about the car itself. It is sensible to eliminate any concerns about the car by carrying out regular vehicle checks. Keeping an engine topped up with oil and making sure the car’s coolant level is high enough will prevent some less serious breakdowns.