Top 10 Ways to Stay Awake While Driving
I was traveling home late the other night and it was so hard to stay awake. I know we’ve all been in this position before, so I thought I’d offer some tips.
1. Keep the car cool. Avoid turning on the heat. If it’s hot outside, turn on the air conditioning and turn the vents straight toward your face.
2. Turn on the radio. Turn it up loud and sing to it. Try to sing loudly and get into the music.
3. Eat something. When my husband used to travel home from his evening job, he would pop some popcorn before he left work. He would eat the popcorn on the way home and it would keep him alert. You might want to try stopping for an ice cream or something.
4. Find someone to talk to. This is the #1 thing that wakes me up. When I’m traveling and I start to get tired, I pick up my cell phone and make a call. Having to interact in a conversation helps to energize me.
5. Pull over and walk around. Find a well lit gas station, restaurant, or rest stop. Walk or run around. Breathe in the fresh air.
6. Get a good night’s sleep. If you know you will be traveling the next day, then plan for it. Go to bed early the night before.
7. Stay hydrated. Even being slightly thirsty can cause you to feel fatigued.
8. Drink caffeine for a temporary fix. A cup of coffee always gets me going.
9. Get someone to go on the trip with you. Having a friend to chat with will encourage conversation and will also give someone that you can share the driving.
10. Keep a wet towel or ice pack in a cooler. Use it to put on your forehead, neck, and temples.
You may even want to purchase a nap zapper. Until today, I’d never heard of one.
If all else fails, pull over and take a nap. Of course, you’ll want to do this in a safe looking area with the doors locked. What works to keep you awake while driving?
Tags: alert, awake, driving, safety, top-10Related Stories
POSTED IN: Top 10 lists, automotive, odds and ends
2 opinions for Top 10 Ways to Stay Awake While Driving
Jennifer
Jul 20, 2007 at 2:26 pm
Good post. All good tips except I don’t think number 4 is too safe. If you’re already tired and now talking on a cell phone aren’t you basically an accident waiting to happen. Cell phone distractions cause so many accidents — where I live you can get a ticket if a cop catches you driving and talking (which I agree with).
However I do agree with the rest of the tips. Tip number 2 got me from the New Mexico border to Idaho once. That was a long, long, day.
Karen
Jul 20, 2007 at 3:20 pm
#4 works for me, but I do make the calls when I’m starting to feel tired, not when I’m about to fall asleep. Many people have headsets now or speakerphone, so it’s very similar to talking to someone in the car with you. Thanks for stopping by.
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