Turn Your Car into a Stress-Free Sanctuary

by Kathy Penney

Driving has become more and more stressful over the last couple of decades. There are so many cars and other vehicles on the roads nowadays that something that used to be a pleasure now simply adds to the other chores that need to be carried out.

Driving cannot be avoided. Everyone depends on transport for one reason or another, whether it’s for commuting, shopping, or pleasure. Even those people who do not drive depend on goods and services that need to be delivered to their point of use.

For those who regularly commute along busy roads and highways, having to do so every day can increase stress levels and make the journey to work something to dread. With this in mind, a little time and effort spent now will help to  make your car more of a sanctuary than a prison.

Most cars today are fitted with radios and CD players, so having something soothing to listen to as you drive is easily arranged.  However, the choice of music can make a significant difference to how you drive.  Fast aggressive music pounding loudly in the ears provides the perfect situation for fast aggressive driving. Review your music choice and opt for something  slower-paced; it will make a real difference, not only to the way you drive, but also to how you feel about that daily commute.  Classical music may not be your ideal listening material but listening to some in the car will definitely have a calming effect.

Chemical air-fresheners for the car are very popular these days but not too good for the health. There are organic alternatives that can be made at home using easily-sourced materials and ingredients. To make your own inexpensive air-freshener for the car, sew a row of stitches around the edge of a circle of muslin (use a small dinner plate as a template),  place a small handful of dried lavender, or a dried rosemary and thyme mixture, into the centre of the circle, gather up the stitching, knot the ends of the thread together, and you have a natural air-freshener that can be hung from the rear-view mirror. This will gently fragrance the car but will not affect the health of anyone who travels in it.

Wet-wipes make the perfect handy item to carry in the car. They can be used for keeping the hands clean and for  wiping over pulse points to help cool the driver down in hot weather. Used to wipe over a dusty dashboard and steering wheel, they will instantly help to make the car feel cleaner.

Take a look at your choice of driving footwear. Those high heels may make you feel dressed up and ready for the office, but they are dangerous for driving and will reduce the contact between the car’s pedals and your feet. Instead, keep a comfortable pair of pumps or ‘flatties’ in the car specifically for driving, and you will soon get into the habit of changing into them every time you drive.