The cozy interior of your car can feel like a cramped nightmare space after a few hours on the road. But long car rides don't have to be all bad.

Here's how to bring a little comfort and wellness to your car even as the miles fly by.

1. Check Your Driving Position and Posture

Before heading out on a trip, make sure your driver's seat is set up for success. This quick video from Marian, a triple national Hill Climb champion, will have your car's front seat all dialed and comfortable in no time.

As it turns out, even minor adjustments to the backrest or steering wheel height can affect your driving. Make sure all the components are working in your favor.

In addition, it's easy to slouch after hours behind the wheel, leading to discomfort and soreness. Try a few quick exercises to fix your posture when you're at a pit stop. It will make the rest of the journey more comfortable.

2. Get Driving-Specific Apps

Before heading out on your journey, download some apps to make many aspects of driving a little easier. It's one of the quickest ways to let technology do some work and decrease your stress load until self-driving cars become more common. So, let's quickly look at some of these apps, shall we?

Drivemode

Make communicating from your car easier with Drivemode, an app that streamlines your ability to manage phone calls and text messages from the road.

The app features a big, easy-to-navigate interface to help drivers keep their eyes on the road. Each screen is announced with a voice cue, so you can swipe between them without even looking.

You won't waste time fiddling with the controls, either. For instance, hanging up a call is as simple as tapping anywhere on the red screen. There's also a voice interface option for hands-free communication.

Download: Drivemode for Android (Free)

Roadtrippers

Take a lot of the stress and guesswork out of your long drive with the handy Roadtrippers app. First, search near your location or plan out a route. Then search for hotels, restaurants, camping locations, and plenty of other categories located along your path.

Browse your route ahead of time to locate fun points of interest along the way, from major museums to quirky roadside attractions. For instance, a few detours from a proposed New York to Los Angeles trip include the Toledo Zoo, a Volkswagen Beetle Spider, and The Zombie Apocalypse Experience Las Vegas.

There's also a selection of set guides to classic road trips covering everything from the Blue Ridge Parkway to Big Bend National Park.

Download: Roadtrippers for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases available)

Safe 2 Save

Whether you're a new driver or someone who has been behind the wheel for a few years, the Safe 2 Save app rewards you for driving well.

The Safe 2 Save app is designed to help drivers refrain from fiddling with their phones while on the road. Open the app before you start driving and earn points for the time you spend off the phone. Best of all, you can retrieve points for real-life prizes.

In addition to virtual rewards, the app offers many restaurant discounts. For instance, you can redeem points for a free Mini Blizzard from Dairy Queen at various locations around Texas. Give the app a try, rack up points, and drive without distractions.

Download: Safe 2 Save for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases available)

These aren't the only apps designed to make your life on the road a bit easier. Remember where you parked, locate electric vehicle charging locations, and even use your phone as a dashcam with the apps every driver needs.

They help eliminate even more of the everyday stresses associated with driving.

3. Do Car Yoga

Stretch it out before or after your drive to release tension. In fact, your car can become a new yoga prop, as this video from Yoga with Olga shows.

Loosen up your neck muscles, rotate your body, and enjoy moving around with this quick 10-minute sequence. No mat is needed, so you can do yoga at a gas station, rest stop, or any other place you happen to pause along the journey.

Alternatively, enjoy a practice session with one of the best iPhone apps for yoga. It's a great way to stir around and ease tired muscles once you're at a stopping point for the night.

4. Listen to Engaging Audiobooks

Keeping your mind occupied during the drive is half the struggle. Load up on free audiobook downloads before the drive to stay sharp. Now, you can catch up on that fantasy series or memoir that caught your attention.

Alternatively, you can check out the best free audiobooks if you need some inspiration. Everything from Pride and Prejudice to The Call of Cthulhu is free to download, turning any drive into a literary journey.

5. Don't Go Hungry

Trying to search for nearby restaurants while you're driving can get dicey. Instead, find a list of restaurants located at each exit with RoadAhead Highway Exit Finder. It's much easier than trying to read the Restaurant Ahead signs as they fly by, anyway.

Scroll through the list to locate your state and exit, and then hit the Show Exits button. You'll see a list of restaurants at each exit, along with their Yelp reviews and ratings. In addition to restaurants, you can also search for gas stations, rest areas, grocery stores, and many more categories.

The app is designed for US interstates and highways, meaning it won't be helpful if you live anywhere else. But if you're traveling around the states, then the RoadAhead Highway Exit Finder is a handy way to search out the best spots to eat along the way.

Download: RoadAhead Highway Exit Finder for iOS (Free)

6. Wear Sunscreen

Although car windows tend to block UVB rays, some UVA rays can still get through, as reported by the Skin Cancer Foundation. Wearing sunscreen during your trip is one way to help protect your skin from these potentially damaging rays. Alternatively, you can consider window tinting to block UV rays as a long-term solution.

Remembering to reapply sunscreen throughout the day is half the battle, however. You can download the UVLens app for iOS and Android for reminders when the UV index is high. But if you have a WearOS smartwatch, the built-in Weather app offers a similar solution to remind you that it's not safe to head out without your sunscreen.

Ride Easy With Healthy Habits for Your Car Trip

Although spending long hours on the road can get stressful, the right mix of apps, videos, and downloads can keep your mind and body happy. So, use these healthy habits for the road to make your next drive safer, calmer, and way more comfortable no matter how long it is.