We often associate driving with stress, anger and even road rage. However, there are drivers out there who actually report that being behind the wheel makes them feel calmer.

There are many studies that show drivers become very territorial when they drive and this leads to aggression. However, there is also evidence that some people find the cocoon of a car soothes their nerves.

Driving is not seen as a traditional stress-reliever after a tough day in the office, and it shouldn’t be treated as a way of venting anger or frustration, but if you enjoy the act of driving it can take away the strains of modern life. Many racing drivers report feeling much happier and less worried when they are driving on the public road compared to sitting in a meeting.

Much of this has to do with controlling the environment you are in. Where a racing driver finds sitting in a conference room alien to their working life, being at the wheel is where they are most confident and so their stress levels decrease.

It’s not just racing drivers, however, who say they find the act of driving makes them relax. Many people who drive for a living, whether it’s driving a van, truck or bus, or they drive to get to work appointments, say time at the wheel is time well spent.

The more you drive and take the time to be a skilled driver, the more quickly you will ascend to the ranks of relaxed, stress-free drivers

Again, to many this might sound like the opposite of perceived wisdom, but when we are at the wheel of our cars, vans, trucks, buses or on a motorcycle, we can filter out all of the other distractions in life. We give driving our full attention, so it’s a way of forcing the brain to set aside other concerns while it deals with driving situations that require an intense and fluid decision-making process.

There are those who find driving relaxing simply because they don’t think about anything, including driving. However, these are people who should not be on the road and are usually easily spotted by their poor driving habits.

On the other hand, someone driving very well and with consideration is most likely someone who feels at one with being at the wheel. It can take a lot of experience to achieve this state of mind, but it’s one that comes with practice. So, the more you drive and take the time to be a skilled driver, the more quickly you will ascend to the ranks of relaxed, stress-free drivers.

Some drivers say they only feel happy when driving quickly and there is a lot of evidence from research to show their attention wanders when they are forced to drive more slowly, usually because of traffic in front. This is not the same as relaxing while driving and is, instead, about the adrenaline produced by driving quickly. It’s wise to keep adrenaline and driving purely for the race track.

Relaxed drivers also tend to make fewer mistakes, be involved in far fewer collisions and are much less likely to speed. With these kinds of upsides on offer to those drivers who see the car and driving as a calming experience, a stress-free existence is only a car commute away.