You’re Not the Only One Who Likes to Sit in Your Car After a Long Day at Work

Therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all. For some, it’s yoga or meditation; for others, it’s a quiet wind-down with a beer, alone time, or even just sitting in the car after a long day. Whether you’ve parked at home, the gym, or somewhere scenic, that moment of stillness—listening to music, staring at the view, or simply doing nothing—isn’t just you. According to the Associated Press, these brief pauses act as a mental buffer, helping you slow down and recalibrate before diving back into the chaos of daily life. Your car, psychologist Thuy-vy Nguyen of Durham University told the AP, can serve as the perfect “in-between space.” It’s a closed, personal environment where you control the temperature, music, and ambiance—variables that make it easier to decompress. While research on this specific habit is limited, experts suggest these short resets can boost energy, improve mood, and sharpen focus, lasting anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour.

The key? How you spend that time matters more than the act itself. Mental clarity often comes from shutting out external noise—whether through music, self-reflection, or gratitude. Some people scroll through Instagram or Reddit, watch cat videos, or browse car forums, but experts warn against mindless scrolling. Cardiologist Abinash Achrekar told KOAT in Albuquerque, New Mexico, that scrolling keeps the brain active and can even heighten stress. “When you scroll, your brain stays busy and sometimes even more stressed,” he said.

“Instead of resetting, you may keep thinking about problems or upsetting news. So if you want this break to help, it’s better to step away from your phone.” Personal testimonials back up the habit. Writer Jamie Davis Smith described on Business Insider how sitting in the car to finish a song or sip still-hot coffee from a to-go cup before tackling a to-do list brings a sense of rejuvenation. Instagram user whitwithcolor echoed the sentiment: “Sometimes the pause in the car is the reset your nervous system needs.” Reddit threads, particularly among those in emotionally and physically draining jobs, are filled with similar stories. The consensus? Most people use this time effectively to recharge.

However, if the habit is used to avoid responsibilities rather than rest the mind, it becomes an escape—not the intended reset. The goal is genuine mental rest, whether that means thinking, crying, screaming, or simply healing in the quiet confines of your car.