Quick Fixes & Tips for Preventing Fatigue on the Road
Posted in Blog
Monday, July 25, 2016
Whether you’re looking for new ways to keep yourself awake on the road, or wondering how to prevent those drowsy moments, we have some tips for you!
Quick Fixes if It’s Too Late - Next time you’re feeling drowsy, try one of these:
- Break for a quick nap. A 30-minute catnap can do wonders for a tired driver. It will hold you over for a solid few hours, and make you significantly more awake and alert on the road.
- Call a friend. Assuming it’s not the middle of the night, pull over for a few minutes and give a family member or close friend a phone call! The pleasure you experience from chatting with a loved one will give you a slight energy boost to help you power through.
- Crack the windows. Fresh air is your friend! While it’s not a long term solution, the breeze and fresh air can do wonders for a quick fix.
- Crank the tunes. Locate your favorite radio station or album and crank it! Not sure what to listen to? Take a look at our music streaming suggestions.
- Stop and stretch. Moving around and stretching is a quick way to get your blood flowing again. With a simple 5-10 minute stop to stretch, you’ll increase your energy level for the next leg of the drive.
Although a good portion of these tips require an extra stop, the benefits of having a more alert and efficient driver on the road significantly outweigh the time loss of a 10-minute break. Especially if you’re following our tips for getting ahead of schedule discussed in our recent post for new drivers, you’ll have plenty of extra time for a few breaks.
Preventing Fatigue - A couple tips to minimize those drowsy moments in the future:
- Pay attention to your diet. Diet is directly related to energy level. Pay attention to what you eat. For some tips, check out our recent post on how to eat more healthy on the road.
- Take your vitamins. Listen to your mother and take your vitamins! B and C Vitamins in particular are great energy boosters. Keep a bottle of each in your truck, and get yourself in the habit of taking them regularly.
- Keep hydrated. Though it may result in extra pit-stops, keeping yourself hydrated is a simple way to boost your energy level. Dehydration is a serious cause of fatigue, especially in the summer months. Be sure to drink half your bodyweight in ounces of water each day! For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, you should drink 100 ounces of water each day.
Happy Driving!