Like most busy moms, you probably spend a lot of time in your car. Whether you’re commuting to work, running errands, or in a carpool situation, your car can feel like a second home. So it is worthy of treating it with the intelligence, calm, and positivity you cultivate in your actual home. Here are some habits to align your car time with the rest of your positive life.
1) Give Thanks for Your Ride
Cars don’t always behave like we want—the dreaded “check engine” light can disrupt even the best laid plans and the lightest traffic. But even if you have to weather the occasional inconvenience and expense, it’s healthy and helpful to remind yourself of your good fortune in having access to a vehicle that gets you where you need to go.
2) Match the Tunes to Your Mood
Let your radio or other car music player help you hop, bop, or chill, depending on your emotional needs on a given ride. If you’re trying to summon the energy to face a busy day, crank some heart-pulsing beats. If you’re stressing out in traffic, play something relaxing to keep your heartrate calm and focused. If you listen to talk or news radio, notice if it’s elevating your stress level, and consider switching the dial.
3) Plan Ahead
One of the habits I learned from my mom was to make a mental map of my route and tackle multiple stops in an order that makes sense for the traffic patterns I’ll likely encounter. If there’s a tough left turn on a busy road, for example, I’ll take a different route so I’ll hit that stop from the right. And if rush hour is going to come on while I’m out, I’ll first take care of the errand that’s farthest from home, shortening my traffic-heavy time.
4) Practice Safety First
You might be old enough to remember when seat belts were optional in a car. Relish the protection your car offers by buckling up, using tech minimally and hands-free. Keep your tank full or your engine charged, and your vehicle up-to-date on service. These simple habits might seem self-evident, but they’re part of the overall practice of bringing peaceful positivity to every aspect of your life.
For busy moms, what tips can you share about being happy behind the wheel?
