Lean Back

If you happen to see me on the road in Rochester, I'll most likely be seated with my head back against the head rest. Most people don't utilize this because there is such a strong tendency to want to lean forward, as if being closer to the windshield means you're closer to the action. I've learned that leaning forward makes me less relaxed, so make sure to resist the temptation to do so. The same also applies for my office job. Others constantly lean forward, mere inches from their computer monitor. My massage therapist said one of the reasons I may have been getting periodic neck and back strain was not having proper posture when working. So when I notice that I'm leaning too far forward, I say, "Back" and lean further away.

When I'm driving my car, I also never hold the steering wheel in the 10-2 position. That's too much damn effort. I make sure my seat is close enough to the steering wheel so that I can basically lay my arms in my lap and hold the wheel at, oh, 4-8. I see people in SUV's with their arms up on the wheel and go, "Damn, don't your arms get sore?" (that's what she said). Once in a while, such as when changing lanes, I do need to turn my head a tad, but it's only for a few seconds.

Let's also not discount the importance of music in maximizing a relaxed state while in our vehicles. I was listening to a Trance CD this past weekend when going out of town and it was heavenly. Even a few tracks by Celine Dion were able to give me a lift as I traveled to Wisconsin.

One cool thing about my '05 Elantra is that it has a little lumbar switch you can enable that will poke a portion of the seat out to give your lower back some support. I like! All these things allow me to be one of the most relaxed blokes on the road these days.