Things That Work and Don't Work If You Want to Stay Awake Behind the Wheel

Staying awake while driving is important to avoid an accident. Find out which methods of staying awake work and which don't.

Everyone understands that the feeling of fatigue and drowsiness while driving in a car is extremely dangerous. This can lead to dire consequences for the driver, passengers, and other road users. Thus, it is important to prevent anything bad from happening by any means.

Whether you use your car to get around town or need your vehicle for work, the most important thing is to always drive refreshed. If in the morning you feel that you have not rested, then it is better to use public transport or a taxi.

However, many often go on trips abroad or long road trips around the country. Now the car is the most convenient way to travel, both in the place of residence and in other countries.

When traveling abroad, many people prefer to take advantage of a car for rent. Car rentals offer a huge variety of different vehicles for rent at reasonable prices. In addition, you have the opportunity to rent a car that will be technically sound.

However, when traveling in a rental car, you are responsible for yourself, other passengers, and the vehicle. Therefore, you must be awake.

Why some methods don't work

There are many things that drivers use to stay awake for long hours. Among the most commonly used are the following:

• Telephone conversations with relatives and friends;
• Conversations with passengers in the cabin;
• Listening to loud music and radio;
• Eating snacks;
• Drinking energy drinks;
• Airing out the vehicle.

However, many drivers note that sometimes the above methods simply do not work. They help to stay awake for a short period. Within an hour, the feeling of fatigue and drowsiness may return.

This may be because in your daily life you often spend nights without sleep. Your body simply does not get a good rest and because of this, the supply of energy decreases significantly at an accelerated pace. Thus, there is nothing better than a healthy dose of sleep if you have a long drive ahead of you.

Eating while driving

Many drivers prefer to buy food at gas stations. However, you can rarely find healthy food there. Thus, many drivers buy soft drinks, energy drinks, chocolate bars, saltine crackers, and other types of snacks.

Anything you eat or drink that contains a lot of sugar will never make you feel energized. You may feel a surge of energy, but it will be short-lived. After this burst of energy is over, you feel even more sleepy as well as tired. As a result, your problems become even greater.

Things that might work

Some methods have proven to be effective. You can do the following:

• Brew strong coffee or stop at a coffee shop. If you have such an opportunity, then before you go on a long journey, brew strong coffee in a thermos. It's better not to add sugar and milk. This will give you a burst of energy;
• Take a nap. If you are far from home or traveling abroad, and it is still a long time to the nearest motel, then you should take a break for a nap. Choose a place where no one will disturb you and where your vehicle will be safe. After that, go to the back seat or recline the back of your seat to at least take a nap for half an hour;
• Do some physical exercise. When you drive for a long time, your body gets tired because you don't move much. If you have a long drive ahead of you, do some exercise before driving to improve circulation.

Conclusion

Feeling tired and sleepy while driving is never good. Many of the commonly used methods of staying awake have proven to be ineffective. Use the above methods to avoid falling asleep while driving. If you have a sleep disorder that makes you feel constantly tired, then you should consult a specialist.