Solo Drives May Be My Favorite Form of Moving Meditation

Driving meditation may not sound like a safe proposition. After all, closing your eyes and turning inward isn’t wise while operating heavy machinery. But when you reframe the act of meditation as an act of noticing, the disparate acts make complete sense as one.

A good friend refers to my tendency to just get in the car and go as my “joy rides.” I can’t think of a more apt description. The many benefits of meditation—peace of mind, decreased stress levels, and the alleviation of depression symptoms, to name a few—seem to apply to my car time, too. The ability to deliver myself from points A to B (pausing at subpoints in between) is akin to magic, as are the characters, animals, plants and trees, weather patterns, waterways, and changes in light that I encounter along the way.

Sure, driving is less of a traditional moving meditation than a yoga class or a good long walk, but I believe it deserves a place on the mindfulness menu. My nervous system is never quite as relaxed as it is after a long solo drive. Should you need more convincing, I’m sharing five reasons to join me in the most sedentary sort of moving meditation.

5 Reasons to Consider Driving Meditation

Whether you’re a reluctant commuter or a joy rider like me, driving meditation can make your journey more tolerable and even enjoyable. A note on carbon footprints: I work from home and have for much of my career, a factor that allows a me to justify my penchant for driving—at least in part. That said, incorporating driving meditations into your existing routes is undoubtedly the most sustainable method.

1. You’re Already in the Car

The average American spends a minimum of an hour a day in the car. So why not make that dictate more blessing than curse? You have nothing to lose except your tendency toward road rage.

2. There’s No Pressure to Perform

Your vehicle is a self-contained space—a little mobile atmosphere of your own making. You control the soundtrack, the temperature, the scent. And though you may draw the eye of an occasional passerby, no one is really watching you. (Unless you break a traffic law, of course.) Revel in this freedom!

3. You’ll See Things Differently

Choosing to bring presence into your drive makes the entire experience more meaningful. The view through your windows highlights a landscape that demands your attention, whether that be a buzzing freeway or a winding country road. Track what you notice through this new lens—the same old roads may transform with your attention.

4. It Counts as Mindfulness

Shifting everyday habits and chores into opportunities for awareness is among the simplest ways to lead a more mindful life. As with mindfulness options, like savoring small moments and keeping an eye out for glimmers of gratitude, making presence a part of your regular routine results in a richer mode of existence.

5. It’s an Inner and Outer Exploration

Every drive is an opportunity for an adventure of your inner and outer world. Ditch your curated playlist or audiobook in favor of a silent ride every now and then, just to see what comes up. Park and hop out when you feel compelled, strolling the length of a new (or familiar) trail or coastline or strip mall.

Get a little lost, find yourself, and find your way home.