Is Your Head in the Game, Driver?
Sixty seconds is all it takes to shift your mindset, calm your emotions, and reduce your anxiety. Who knew one minute had the power to do all that?
According to the article, “Driving as Preparation” by the staff of Mindful.org, Donald Altman did.
Altman, M.A., LPC, and author of several books including: “Clearing Emotional Clutter: Mindfulness Practices for Letting Go of What’s Blocking Your Fulfillment and Transformation;” “One-Minute Mindfulness: 50 Simple Ways to Find Peace, Clarity, and New Possibilities;” “The Mindfulness Code: Keys for Overcoming Stress, Anxiety, Fear, and Unhappiness;” and “Meal-by-Meal: 365 Daily Meditations for Finding Balance Through Mindful Eating,” believes a 60-second mindfulness approach can alter and improve your mental and emotional state while you are behind the wheel.
How you treat your morning drive is the foundation of your mental and emotional state, according to Altman. He asks: Do you focus on just driving or do you use the commute as an excuse or a means to get ready for your day? Do you allow road rage to take over? Do you participate in other activities while driving like eating, texting, drinking, or applying makeup?
Your answers will determine which type of driver you are. According to Altman, there two types of drivers: 1) a driver who goes through the motions of driving while their brains are preoccupied or distracted by other things, thoughts, or people, and 2) drivers who are 100 percent focused on the act of driving.
If you fall into category one, do not fret; every driver can morph into a mindful driver, according to Altman, and all it takes is 60 seconds of focus.
By focusing on the details of your car (the sight, sound, and feel) and the experience of driving (the sense of the road and the environment around you) in just one-minute intervals, you will become a more mindful driver, allowing yourself to be more present in the moment, less stressed, and more grateful for the driving experience.
News Source: Mindful.org
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