Staying Alert on a Road Rrip

How to stay alert on a road trip

Road trips make for great mini-vacations, but they be tiring, especially if you’re driving back from a long trip. As a result, it’s important that drivers do everything in their power to stay awake.
Here are some tips for combating drowsiness on your next trip:

Get a good night’s rest

This should go without saying, but if you know you’re going to be driving for hours on end the next day, it’s incredibly important that you get a good night’s sleep.
Make sure you get between seven-to-eight hours to ensure you can handle the grind of a long drive.

Avoid fast food

Sure, fast food may be a tasty and convenient option when you’re on the road, but it won’t take long before you feel the effects of eating greasy food.
Instead, you should stick to a healthier option such as meat and vegetables to ensure you have enough energy for the long drive ahead.

Stay hydrated

You may have the urge to bypass liquids to avoid constant trips to the bathroom, but you’ll find yourself getting more and more tired if you fail to stay hydrated.
You should always have a bottle of water with you to avoid dehydration and the inevitable drowsiness that comes with it.

Stretch often

If you want to ensure your body stays awake, it’s important that you keep your blood flowing. You should try to take breaks on a regular basis so you can stretch your legs and move around.

Go easy on the caffeine

It’s alright to have a coffee before you leave for the day, but it’s a bad idea to rely on caffeine to stay awake on your trip. Caffeine typically only lasts for a few hours and will likely dehydrate you, which could cause problems once it begins to wear off.

Don’t drive alone

You should always make sure another passenger is awake with you when you’re driving on a road trip since you’ll have a hard time falling asleep if you’re deep in conversation.
Of course, if you do get tired, you can always let someone else take over for a bit.

Keep your vehicle cold

Lower the temperature in your vehicle if you notice yourself beginning to get tired. This will help to jolt yourself awake for the time being.
If the weather is a little cooler outside, you can also roll down the window.

Know the warning signs

If you notice yourself getting drowsy, it’s a smart idea to pull over and take a quick, 20-minute power nap. This will give you the rest you need to stay awake going forward.
If you notice your eyelids getting heavy or are having difficulty keeping your head up, it’s time to pull over. Otherwise, you could be putting yourself in serious danger.