Everyday life sometimes feels non-stop. But, of course, no matter how busy you get, everybody needs a little ‘me time’. Today, people are spending more of their free time just sitting in their parked car, enjoying the peace and quiet.
If you ever find yourself lingering in your car on the driveway, why not fill this quiet time with enjoyable or productive activities? With no one around to interrupt you, this small window of opportunity can become the perfect daily ritual for relaxation.
We’ve come together with comedian Ellie Taylor to show how you can make the most of your car time. In fact, Brits spend an average of 12 hours a year simply relaxing in their cars. So, get the most out of your mobile sanctuary with our favourite tips below.
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Wellness activities
1. Reading & Puzzles
Reading a good book, fictional or non-fictional, offers so many fantastic benefits. Experts say that reading 15-30 minutes a day creates a cognitive boost – the more you read, the more you learn!
According to a Cambridge University study (2020), people who read more than 30 minutes daily may actually live longer and are more protected against cognitive decline. Stimulate your brain and pick up a new hobby by simply reading a few pages in your car.
If you’re not much of a reader, why not try the following:
- Sudoku.
- Crosswords.
- Wordsearch.
- Solitaire.
Activities like these improve concentration, focus, and problem-solving skills whilst allowing you to unwind your mind. Like reading, puzzles also help to strengthen memory and have physical health benefits. Boost your brain health, even if it’s just 5 minutes of focus per day.
2. Meditation & Self-care
One of the most well-known ways to relieve stress is the art of meditation. With regular practice (even just those spare moments that you get in your car), meditation can reduce blood pressure and cortisol levels – the stress hormone.
According to medical researchers like Dr Mirela Loftus (2024), meditation can also help improve sleep, regulate emotions, and boost cognitive abilities. So, whether you use calming music or silence, your car is the ideal place to close your eyes and breathe.
Pro tip: If you feel a little self-conscious, snatch up one of our tinted screens or hop into the back seats for complete privacy.
3. Grab a snack
If you’re running around after little ones or working a demanding job, skipping breakfast can become your norm. However, making sure that you eat enough is vital for the performance of both your brain and body, and car time can help you with this too.
Make the process easier with a Hydragrip water bottle, designed to remain in your car and boost your hydration levels. Or, if you’re a fast-food lover, check out our cheeky sauce holder (in both a 2-piece and 7-piece design).
4. Audio entertainment
Listening to music, whether it’s classical or punk rock, has been proven to benefit mental health and happiness. Music lowers stress and helps to foster a sense of community and social togetherness.
Try swapping melancholic music for some positive tunes and feel the instant difference in yourself. We’ve got plenty of playlists to explore, whether you’re looking for that summer vibe or cosy autumn feels.
Alternatively, if you’re not much of a music-lover, try listening to:
- The radio.
- Audiobooks.
- Podcasts.
There’s a huge variety of each of these online, from chatty catchups to informative news panels, so there’s something for every listener.
To thoroughly appreciate your audio, you’ll need a top-notch stereo. That’s why we carry stereos with and without an aux cord, CD players, and Bluetooth compatibility, so that you can decide how you’d like to connect your tunes. With a number of well-trusted brands, there’s no better place to shop for your music needs than Halfords.
5. Isometric exercises & Yoga
We know what you’re thinking, yoga squats and sit-ups in the car? Although space is limited, there are some simple exercises you can do to strengthen and stretch your muscles, even whilst sat in the car park.
Isometric exercises are simply exercises that contract your muscles without exaggerated movement. Instead, you hold a static (or still) position for a longer amount of time and feel the burn. Improve your upper body’s flexibility, release tension, relieve pain and improve your heart’s health with those spare minutes you steal back from your busy schedule.
Returning to work after a long summer can interrupt your gym grind – try these simple daily exercises to get some extra fitness into your day. For yoga, you could try:
- Prayer pose: Move your arms in front of your chest and press your palms together, hovering over your heart. Allow your shoulders to relax, level your elbows with your ribcage and enjoy reduced arm, neck, and shoulder tension.
- Shoulder rolls: Supports shoulder flexibility and prevents stiffness whilst relieving tension.
If instead you crave some exercise, carry out some simple strength training such as:
- Dumbbell curl: Yes, you may lack the dumbbells, but you can still perform the curl. Try using your water bottle for some added weight. It can help to grow the strength and size of your biceps as well as improve grip strength.
- Abdominal contractions: Sit tall and pull your belly button inwards and then hold for a few seconds. This will strengthen your core and improves balance.
- Glute squeeze: Simply squeeze your glutes together (lifting slightly out of your seat) and release for glute strength and engagement.
Productivity
Getting things ticked off your checklist is likely to benefit your wellbeing and mental health. So, get ahead of the game and use your precious spare minutes to strike some tasks off the list.
1. Phone organisation
An organised phone equals an organised mind! Delete those old apps, unsubscribe from spam emails (so that you can easily spot our MOT reminders), update your calendar and organise your files.
If you’re a busy worker, why not go through those pesky work emails that you’ve been meaning to answer? Using the empty time that you would usually spend scrolling, you can free up time for yourself elsewhere in your schedule.
2. Useful apps
Have you ever wanted to speak another language and wow your friends whenever you travel? Use your spare car time and get learning your chosen language. Duolingo is a great app for language learning and sends helpful notifications to keep you motivated.
Or maybe you’re a content creator? Or just enjoy filming light-hearted TikTok’s? There are online trends of people talking and eating in their cars, you could hop online and create a video of your own. You could make new friends, develop a new hobby and even get paid for it!
So, whether you’re sat waiting to pick the kids up or dragging out going into work, utilise your precious time and better yourself for a more organised and relaxed lifestyle.
Make sure your car is fully prepared to return to routine and your daily commute by get it booked in at your local Halfords garage for expert maintenance servicing. Plus, if you combine your annual MOT with a service, you’ll receive a fantastic discount!
Don’t forget that Halfords Motoring Club is the perfect companion for spending more time in your car as you can upgrade your mobile sanctuary using great (and exclusive) benefits and discounts.
Feel proud of your car and enjoy the time that you spend in it!
