CAR AS THERAPY: DRIVE TO BREATHE AGAIN

Many people underestimate the therapeutic effect of driving, but in reality, a road trip can be as calming as a walk or a weekend in nature. First, a car provides a controlled environment — a private space where you feel safe. Second, driving creates a unique mental state of “focused freedom”: your hands and eyes are busy, but your thoughts are free to wander. This helps reduce anxiety, ease mental tension, and promote deep reflection.

Psychologists have found that even a short change of scenery — just 1–2 hours — helps break repetitive thought patterns. The idea of “driving to breathe” is grounded in physiology: when you leave your usual environment, the nervous system receives a signal that the pressure is off. Cortisol (the stress hormone) levels drop, the body relaxes, and thoughts begin to clear.

An interesting fact: in Japan and South Korea, there’s a growing trend known as driving therapy, where people take long drives specifically to cry, think, or reset emotionally. Some rest areas are even designed for this — with views of mountains or the ocean, giving drivers a quiet space to pause and reflect.

A car gives you the freedom to stop anywhere — a roadside café, a quiet forest road, a lakeshore. It’s not just about getting from point A to B, but about creating your own path, where every turn matters. Many people return from such drives with new ideas, solutions, or simply a calmer mind.

Driving without a fixed plan also reduces mental fatigue. You’re not following someone else’s schedule, and you’re free from deadlines and distractions — a rare feeling of autonomy that many of us miss in daily life. This is especially important for city dwellers, where even “rest” often feels scheduled and rushed.

Feeling like you need to catch your breath? Rent a car with DAU Rental — a simple, fast way to reset and reconnect with yourself. Just choose a car, get behind the wheel, and head toward peace of mind.