Mindfulness when driving can save our lives.
Driving in the city is undoubtedly a challenge. Visual pollution that floods our view with advertising and other external factors, coupled with the sometimes inappropriate behavior of other road users, can lead to distraction while driving .
Even our state of mind becomes a determining factor when driving. Anxiety or stress can create a feeling of automatic driving, where we're unaware of our speed or route. This is a truly dangerous situation, as we lack the necessary reaction time when faced with any unexpected event on the road.
And distractions continue to be one of the leading causes of traffic accidents , according to the DGT. We don't realize the importance of paying attention until we feel the immense responsibility of our maneuvers.
Mindfulness or how to practice full attention while driving
That's why the practice of mindfulness — focusing attention on the present moment—is so important. This technique provides greater mental clarity, improved concentration, and emotional resilience. Paying full attention while driving can not only save our lives, but also contributes to more orderly and respectful traffic, as well as reducing road accidents .
Mindfulness techniques for proper driving
Practicing these techniques is simple and their consequences are very positive, as they help you pay greater attention while driving:
- Recognize your intention : Before getting into the vehicle, check how you feel, your level of fatigue, and be aware of the route you are going to take.
- Breathe : Sit down and take a moment to take a few deep, conscious breaths.
- Be aware of your body : When you put on your seatbelt, be aware of your posture, your hands on the wheel, and your foot on the pedal.
- Take control : Once you've started your journey, become aware of your thoughts and focus your attention on the road.
- Use each stop sign to practice mindfulness of your body : every time you have to stop, connect your awareness with your breathing.
- Return to the present : When you find yourself tempted to check your phone or indulge in some other distraction, step back and return to the present.
- Don't rush to reach your destination : Once you arrive at your destination, before getting out of the car, wait a moment and become aware of the silence once the engine is off.
Reflect on whether you enjoyed the trip or whether you were stressed, and what you would do differently next time. This way, you'll arrive at your destination more relaxed.
