Here at Herb Easley Chevrolet, we know that times have been incredibly difficult. Stressors appear to be attacking you from all sides these days. Bad news seems to develop at lightning speeds, working from home has turned from a dream into a nightmare and there does not seem to be an escape from it all.
When negative thoughts feel as if they are bearing down on you, the best thing you can do is break free of them. Cruising along the road can help you relax and forget about — or at least put into perspective — the potholes that life’s highway has thrown at you. Below, you will find out exactly how hopping behind the wheel for a ride down some lazy roads can help you maintain control over your stress levels.
Solitude
On occasion, you may find that spending time by yourself can prove to be an excellent answer to dealing with the pressures that have been created by your employer or even by your family. Getting some alone time can do wonders for your mental health, especially if you live in a crowded area where it can be difficult to ever be actually alone.
Sliding into the driver’s seat of a new car and starting the engine allows you to escape the hubbub of the world around you and lets you focus on the inner workings of your self without distraction. Driving by yourself lets you focus solely on the task at hand — driving. This can provide you with some much needed distance from the stressors of work, family, etc.
Taking some time to yourself also comes with a wealth of benefits. Thomas Oppong writes that researchers have discovered that solitude allows you boost your creativity as your mind can be released from weight of your stressors and be free to play with new ideas.
This may surprise you but taking some time to yourself can also improve your relationship with family and friends. According to Dr. Kristina M. Scharp’s 2019 article in Psychology Today, when you are alone, you can improve upon your listening practices. Going for a drive alone out of town for a little while is a fantastic strategy for you to achieve some internal quiet and peace.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a term that has become very popular to throw around as of late, but let’s talk about what this term actually means for you. When you practice mindfulness, you are engaging in a type of meditation. This practice requires you to concentrate on the present moment and on your immediate surroundings. This type of medication is designed to help you become more attuned with your innermost thoughts and emotions so you can enter a state of relaxation.
This type of meditation is best conducted somewhere quiet and, ideally, by yourself. Your car can be the perfect setting to practice mindfulness. Now, just because you are engaging in meditation doesn’t mean you should close your eyes while you are on the road.
Remember, you are trying to pay attention to what’s happening in the moment. Next time you are driving, set a time limit and notice your body. Feel the sensation of your breath moving in and out of your lungs. Focus on where you are, which roads you are driving on, but don’t feel bad if your thoughts wander. Mindfulness can take many forms, like intentional breathing or practicing gratitude.
New Scenery
If you are going through an acutely stressful time at work or at home, getting out for a change of scenery can serve as a welcome respite. Driving away from the environment that is causing you stress can give you the literal and figurative space you may need.
Don’t think of this tactic as running away from the problem. Going on a drive lets you create some much needed temporary distance so you can have a quiet moment to think. The scenery you may find while out on the open road can provide a refreshing change and help you mull over the problem more productively.
The next time you find yourself overwhelmed try to take a slow drive down some country roads, past buildings you find inspiring, or even visit a part of town you are not all that familiar with yet.
No Phone
One of the best reasons to hop in your car when you are stressed is because you won’t be tempted to check your smartphone. It’s become common knowledge that our phones, as handy as they are, can also be conduits for stress. Quite a few of us are obsessive in checking our social media and work emails. It’s become nearly impossible to entirely disconnect from work and immediate responses are almost expected by our friends and family. Smartphones have done a lot of good but it’s important to remember that they are tools under our control — not the other way around.
Some time away from your phone can prove to be incredibly helpful for your mental health. Before you start your car, turn your phone on to “Do Not Disturb” mode so you won’t hear the constant notification ‘pings’ of new texts or social media updates. We at Herb Easley Chevrolet want to remind you that it’s incredibly important that you remember to practice safe driving techniques. You must be alert at all times, even if you are cruising down a beautiful, winding country road.
Now that you have learned how the simple act of driving can serve as a way to help you unwind, you may be excited to try it for yourself. Taking some alone time in your car can provide extraordinary benefits for your mental health by letting you pay attention to what you are feeling inside as well as focusing on the present moment you find yourself in. If you are ready to hit the open road in search of inner peace, drop us a line. We at Herb Easley Chevrolet look forward to helping you.
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