Want to learn the secret to a less stressful mind?
Yoga mats and meditation apps come to mind for most people. But mechanics and gearheads from all walks of life are learning that there’s another solution with even better benefits…
Restore a classic car.
Building a Roush supercharged Mustang or searching far and wide for NOS parts for your vintage pony car takes intense concentration. When you’re in that mode, there’s no room for distractions. Deadlines at work. Arguments with your partner. Kids’ homework…
Yes, all of that melts away when you dive under the hood.
In fact, studies have shown that participating in a hobby you enjoy can greatly improve your mental wellness. This recent study published in Nature Medicine studied over 93,000 people across 16 different countries and found that participants who engaged in hobbies regularly had less symptoms of depression, better self-reported health, and higher life satisfaction.
Mind blown?
What You’re Learning:
- How Car Restoration Promotes a Natural Flow State
- Science Explains the Mental Health Benefits of Hands-On Work
- Why Restoring Mustangs Provides an Even Deeper Benefit
- Connect with Others Through Cars
How Car Restoration Promotes a Natural Flow State
Some refer to this mindfulness state as flow. Car guys call it being in the zone.
Flow state is achieved when you’re performing a task that’s difficult enough to keep your mind engaged, but not too difficult that you can’t find the solution. Restoration work, including rebuilding engines, troubleshooting electrical issues, or installing a supercharger on an older Mustang… these tasks fit the description perfectly.
Here’s the cool part…
Flow state occurs when your brain is fully immersed in the present moment. Not worrying about what already happened or stressing about what’s coming next. When working on a restoration, whether that’s a 1968 Ford Mustang or building your own Roush supercharged Mustang, your mind completely locks in. Studies show being in a state of flow can help reduce cortisol levels and keep you feeling calmer and more centered. Plus, the tasks associated with restoration often force you to get into a rhythm. Sanding, fitting parts, and torquing heads down can be quite meditative.
Time flies when you’re refreshing your mind.
Deep focus is hard to come by these days. Phones buzz. Emails dinging. Voices screaming for your attention. Restoration projects allow you to check out for a bit and truly concentrate on the task at hand. That’s why they’re an ideal way to declutter your mind.
Science Explains the Mental Health Benefits of Hands-On Work
Here’s some nerd stuff to justify spending your Saturday under the car.
Not only do you feel amazing after finishing a project or solving a puzzle under the hood, but science also shows you experience benefits to your mental health when working with your hands. Stress hormones decrease, and your brain releases dopamine (aka the feel-good hormone) whenever you complete a task.
Looks something like this:
- Finding that one elusive stud bolt you’ve been searching for.
- Hearing your engine turn over after hours of troubleshooting.
- Seeing your fresh paint shine in the sun.
All of these small victories encourage your brain to release dopamine. Not only do you feel amazing after finishing a project, but you’ll also start to associate that good feeling with your garage sessions. It’s a win-win.
According to research from NCBI, about 79% of adults who practice mindfulness saw improvements to their overall health and wellness.
There’s also mental benefits to gaining new skills and knowledge. Think about how many things you learn while restoring a vehicle. Maybe it’s how to use a TORX screwdriver. How to bleed brakes. How to calibrate your tuning software. Problem-solving is a huge part of building a Roush supercharged Mustang. These activities exercise your brain and promote new neural pathways.
Building cars can help you stay sharper longer.
Why Restoring Mustangs Provides an Even Deeper Benefit
Okay, so the evidence is pretty clear that playing with your cars improves your mental wellness. But did you know that NOT all hobbies are created equal?
While restoring any classic car will offer these benefits, there’s a reason so many people are throwing money and love into restoring Mustangs.
Here’s why…
When it comes to American classic cars, Mustangs are the Goldilocks of restoration: not too expensive, not too hard to work on. You can find pretty much any part you need at your local AutoZone. There are tons of outlets dedicated to helping you learn how to fix and upgrade your Mustang. And the community is so welcoming.
But… who has time for stock???
Sure, you can totally restore your Mustang to OEM specs. And if that’s your thing, awesome! But adding forced induction to your pony takes things to another level. A Roush supercharged Mustang build requires extreme precision. Every detail matters. Having that mindset will make you a better restorer overall.
With a stock restoration, you only have two options: stock or busted. Restomods and performance builds open up a whole new world of weekend projects.
Connect with Others Through Cars
Here’s a fun fact most people forget…
Working on your car CAN be a group activity. Sure, you’ll want to spend plenty of time by yourself in the garage, but that doesn’t mean you can’t connect with others who share your hobby.
Cruises, car shows, swap meets, forums… the car community is massive. And when you spend so much time with your hobby, it’s only natural you’ll want to connect with people who understand your passion.
This matters because:
Research shows that hobbies keep you social. They allow you to meet new people, combat feelings of loneliness, and are essential to feeling like you’re part of a community. Within the car world, this can look like:
- Learning about how to install your supercharger from fellow enthusiasts.
- Helping newbies with their first restoration project.
- Driving to a car show and celebrating each other’s hard work.
The bonus here is those relationships you build transcend your time in the garage. For many, their car community becomes their second family. That type of support system can improve your overall mental wellness and protect your mind from anxiety, depression, and chronic stress.
Building a Roush supercharged Mustang connects you to some of the best (and detail-oriented) folks around. These are the people who love to show off dyno results, blast you with logs, and walk you through their installation process. The Roush community is incredibly collaborative.
Let’s Sum It All Up
Throwing time into your garage is great for your mental wellness. Science proves engaging in hobbies help improve your attention, mood, and cognitive function. And what better way to enjoy those benefits than by working on your favorite hobby?
Here’s your cheat sheet:
- Flow state: When working on your car, you’re encouraged to enter a state of deep focus. That translates to less stress.
- Mental health benefits: Science shows your brain releases cortisol and dopamine when working on your car.
- Cognitive benefits: Whether you’re learning how to rebuild your first engine or install your Roush supercharger kit, your brain is gaining new knowledge.
- Community: The car community is one of the most rewarding hobbies to become a part of. Not only do you get to make friends, but you also foster amazing relationships that’ll support you for years to come.
Building a Roush supercharged Mustang is more than bolts and boost. Restore to your heart’s content and watch your mental wellness skyrocket.
Own Your Evolution.