Turn Right at Therapy Road
What is it about driving that lulls the mind? Is it just because it's fun to be behind the wheel, or that your car can act as your personal, safe, warm bubble? Whatever it is, many agree that getting out on the open road is strangely therapeutic, and we've compiled some reasons why. Do you feel the same, and do any of these apply to you?
1. You Can Drive Anywhere
The best thing about being able to drive? You can go anywhere. There are no limits, and you can either drive down the block or go on the highway and head to a completely different city. (Though most will agree that long drives are superior.)
2. You Can Listen to Your Favorite Tunes
That playlist you only listen to when you're alone? You can blast it when you're driving by yourself! There's no one else in the car who will judge you for your tunes, and no one you'll have to share the audio with.
3. You Can Drive at Any Time
What's better than being able to drive anywhere you want? You can also drive anytime you want. Whether it's early in the morning before anyone is awake or late at night when everyone's in bed, you can choose exactly when you want to drive and for how long.
4. You're in Control
When you're behind the wheel, you're in full control. This thought alone can be therapeutic, because there might be other things going on in your life where you don't feel like you've got the reins. But in a car, you're the one who makes the decisions on which direction to go and where to turn.
5. You Have Your Own Personal Bubble
Your car is your own personal bubble. You feel safe, warm, and protected from the outside world in there. It's almost a second home, another bed, a different planet. It's where you can be alone, and yet, you don't feel lonely.
6. You Can Scream, Laugh, Cry—without Anyone Hearing or Seeing
Because your car is your personal bubble, you can release all the pent-up emotions you've been suppressing without anyone there to see, hear, or judge. You can laugh, cry, scream, sing, and everything you do will be your own little therapeutic session.
7. Gives You a Break from Screens
If you're always glued to your laptop, TV, and phone, getting behind the wheel for a drive allows a much-needed break from these screens. Instead of doomscrolling, you can reconnect with the outside world from the comfort of your car.
8. You Can Talk to Yourself
Because there's no one there to judge you, you're free to vent to yourself, give yourself pep talks, or just... talk to yourself. Reconnect with your inner child, maybe. Whatever it is, driving allows you that freedom to entertain yourself.
9. You Can Drive to Your Safe Place
If there's a place in mind you always go to when life hits hard, driving can be therapeutic because it can take you to your safe spot, instead of having to coop yourself up at home. This gives you the ability to just "escape" until you're ready to bounce back.
10. Forces You to Concentrate on One Thing at a Time
The more you drive, the more it comes easy to you and becomes muscle memory. But still, that doesn't mean you can just drive on autopilot. Being behind the wheel should force you to concentrate on your current task—driving safely. And for some, that can be therapeutic as it takes your mind off other things.
11. Your Mind Can Wander & Come Up with Crazy Ideas
Yet, even as you drive safely, your mind may wander. It might even meander in ways it never does when you're at home or work, under the weight of all your other stressors. This might allow you to think more creatively, without bounds, and brainstorm unique ideas.
12. Gives You a Sense of Invincibility
Because you're in full control when you drive, being behind the wheel might even give you a sense of invincibility. After all, you're free to drive wherever you want and for as long as you want, and you get to navigate yourself without anyone telling you "no."
13. Gives You Time & Space to Reflect
Driving gives you the time and space you need sometimes to reflect and process your emotions. For some, the feeling of being in the car and in motion lulls their mind coaxes their anxiety in a way that's different from just curling up in your bed.
14. You Can Explore New Places
Whether it's a new city or neighborhood, you can get behind the wheel, switch the engine on, and go explore it. You're bound to find new gems this way, such as a hole-in-the-wall café you've never been to, or a hiking trail you've never traversed.
15. You Can Purposely Get Lost
Sometimes, it's therapeutic to purposely drive until you're lost. If you leave your GPS off, this could help sharpen your problem-solving skills and directional sense, or it can just be a fun way to map out new routes that guide you home.
16. Focus on the Journey, Not the Destination
When you're driving aimlessly, you're allowing yourself to focus on the journey, not the destination. You might hear this phrase often in life, but sometimes, we're so fixated on reaching the goal that we overlook the progress, effort, and the small wins we achieve along the way. But when you actually live out the expression, you give yourself space to truly appreciate its meaning.
17. Go on Road Trips to Remote Places
Ever wanted to just road trip to somewhere that's extremely remote? Go for it! Not only can these lengthier drives feel meditative, they also allow you to find temporary homes or uncover secluded locations that not many other people are aware of. Arriving at these hidden gems may make you feel like you're the only one who exists on this big rock of a planet.
18. Take Advantage of Remote Work
If you work remotely, take advantage of it! You don't need to coop yourself up in your home office where you're constantly reminded of all the things you haven't yet completed. Get into your car and drive to a place that brings you back a slice of peace. After all, isn't that the beauty of working remote?
19. Reminds You How Big the World Actually Is
This might sound silly, but it's true—we often forget just how big the world actually is. That's not to say your worries aren't valid, but there's a whole playground outside of your bubble, with people whose lives are just as complex as your own. When you're driving past houses, cars, and pedestrians, ask yourself: What kind of life are they living?
20. The Action of Moving Forward
You might often feel stuck in life, like everybody else is moving and you're the only one standing still. But when you're in a car and speeding down an empty road, the physical feeling of accelerating forward might propel you to reclaim control of your life and give you the motivation to forge ahead.
