Enjoy Your Drive
Positive Driving: The Road Less Traveled
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
— Robert Frost —
We all travel many roads—some literal, some metaphorical. So I ask you:
What road do you travel?
Did you choose it?
And most importantly, why did you choose it?
Mental Health on the Move
Every day is filled with ups and downs, and I’ve always viewed the roads I take as a means to create more positivity in my life. Driving isn’t just about getting from point A to point B—it’s an opportunity to reset, reflect, and reconnect with yourself.
Yes, being a responsible driver means navigating traffic, time constraints, and the unpredictability of the road. But even with those external stressors, we can find ways to make the experience uplifting and restorative.
Here are a few intentional habits I follow:
Keep water in the car. Hydration keeps your brain alert and your mood balanced.
Have a healthy snack on hand, especially for drives longer than an hour. Avoid energy dips and hangry detours.
Let music be your co-pilot. Find playlists that match your energy—calm your body and soothe your mind. Whether it’s jazz, ambient soundscapes, or soulful lyrics, let rhythm elevate your focus and presence behind the wheel.
Visual Stimulation and the Scenic Route
I often avoid major highways when I can. In densely populated areas, I don’t mind adding a few extra miles if it means less congestion and more movement. Honestly, I often reach my destination faster—and happier.
And in regions like New England, the payoff is real: winding roads lined with natural beauty, stunning seasonal color, and historic architecture that tells stories of time and place. The views feed my spirit. My occipital lobe (the brain’s visual cortex) tingles with joy when bathed in such natural and human-made beauty.
Your Eyes: The Unsung Hero of Mindful Driving
Clarity of sight leads to clarity of mind. Taking care of your visual health directly impacts your driving performance and emotional well-being.
A few non-negotiables:
Check your visual acuity regularly with a licensed eye care provider. Even subtle shifts in vision can lead to mental strain and fatigue while driving.
Wear your glasses or contacts if they’ve been prescribed. Skipping them “just this once” can increase your reaction time and reduce your confidence behind the wheel.
Always keep sunglasses within reach. They reduce glare, improve contrast, and protect your eyes from strain—especially during bright or high-glare conditions.
Dr. Erin’s tip: If you wear glasses regularly, invest in prescription sunglasses. It’s a small upgrade that makes a huge difference in comfort and visual clarity.
Your eyes are more than tools—they’re part of how you emotionally experience your environment. Protecting your vision is part of protecting your peace.
Another Less Traveled Road: Chiropractic Care
One road that’s made a meaningful difference in my life—and one I recommend to many—is the Chiropractic Road. It's often overlooked, but it offers profound support for both mental health and visual health, especially in how our nervous system handles daily stressors.
The primary goal of chiropractic care is to create a healthier, better-regulated nervous system. A well-functioning nervous system leads to less reactive stress responses, both acute and chronic, making everything from traffic jams to mental overwhelm easier to manage.
But here’s where it gets really interesting:
Chiropractic care can also support visual acuity and neurological clarity.
The occipital lobe—the visual processing center of the brain—is located at the back of the skull. This area is a critical junction between the brain and spinal cord, as well as the skull and cervical spine. When this area experiences tension, misalignment, or what chiropractors call subluxation, it can directly impact visual function and the neurological flow supporting your sight.
When should you explore chiropractic care?
If you notice delays or irregularities in your child’s visual development, seek a chiropractor trained in both cranial and spinal adjusting. Early care can correct patterns before they become lifelong challenges.
If you spend a lot of time on screens—phones, tablets, or computers—find a chiropractor who can help correct the postural and neurological compensation patterns that result from this modern lifestyle.
If you find your eyes are slow to adjust between distances, or you experience neck tension or headaches when reading, don’t ignore the signals your body is sending.
If you want to go deeper into healing, look for a chiropractor with training in cranial work. This specialty addresses brain function, trauma patterns, and cerebrospinal fluid balance at the source.
Chiropractic can improve your vision—because it improves how your brain and body communicate.
The Road Ahead
Stay tuned—I’ll be sharing more physical factors that influence our experience behind the wheel. There’s so much more to a healthy, positive drive than just the destination.
But for now, I simply want to share the joy I found this evening as I drove home.
A stretch of road, glowing in golden light, reminded me that when we choose our roads with intention, the journey can be as healing as any arrival.
“Enjoy your drive, and your destination will bring you—and those you see—more light.”
Dr. Erin Jewel Rosen
