We’ll give you some of the most effective tips on how to stay awake while driving long distances alone.

Traveling using your own car is convenient because you can bring almost everything that you need without worrying about how you can carry them. Similarly, you can manage your own time and enjoy the sights while you travel. The problem is that when you travel long distances on your own for some reasons, boredom might strike, which would make you feel sleepy, especially when you drive at night. Hence, for your safety, you must find ways on how to stay awake while driving long distances alone.

Traveling and Driving Alone Can Make You Feel Sleepy

Hence, to help you out and ensure your safety, we have collated some of the best ways to stay awake while driving long distances, whether day or night time. We have included tips that you can do before and during your travels.

I. What You Need to Do Before Your Travel

Generally, your trip has been scheduled ahead of time, so you already know when your travel time is. Here are some of the things you need to do prior to driving long distances:

1. Prepare Your Music Playlist

We all know that driving while playing music on the background will help a driver stay awake and keep him or her entertained. However, having your own playlist of songs that you are familiar with or grew up with will be more helpful. That is because you can sing along with it! It is also great to have an audiobook with you or books that are accompanied by CDs. We advise that you choose stories that are funny to keep you laughing throughout your journey.

2. Stay Healthy

A day before hitting the road, experts recommend that you load up with healthy food to ensure that you stay awake and be alert while driving long distances. A driver feeling sleepy usually has low energy and this is usually related to the food eaten. That said, some of the food items that will load you up with energy include whole grain, fruits, vegetables, and lean meat protein. You must also take vitamins B and C.

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• 7 Basic Driving Mistakes Most New Drivers Make
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Fruits, Vegetables, and Vitamins Are Your Best Friends!

3. Sleep Well and Avoid Alcohol

The night before your travel, it is advisable that you sleep from six to eight hours to make sure that you have enough energy and your mental state is at its best. Similarly, you must avoid alcoholic beverages one to two days prior to your travel.

II. What You Need to Do While Traveling or Driving

Although there are a lot of things that can be mentioned about how to stay awake while driving long distances alone, it is best that you allow a four- to five-hour extra travel time. For example, if your destination is eight hours away, add four more hours to your starting travel time. That way, you won’t be rushing and will have spare time.

1. Stay Entertained

 As we have noted earlier, listening to music is one of the best ways to stay awake while driving long distances. The reason for such is that you would be focusing on something and you might not even realize that you are alone. Similarly, you can sing along with the music as loud as you can! Additionally, it is also advisable that you set the volume of your audio at a mid- to high-level.

2. Have the Right Kind of Snacks

Definitely, you’ll get hungry on the road and stopping over or driving thru a fast food chain would be your best option. However, this isn’t advisable since you would be loading yourself with carbohydrate-rich food. Additionally, you must also make sure that you only have small, frequent meals since consuming a heavy meal would just make you feel sleepy. Some of the best snacks on the road include almond nuts and sunflower seeds.

For your beverage, water will always be the best! Yes, some of you would consider coffee since it is loaded with caffeine. However, you must also note that coffee might make you feel dehydrated, which might then affect your energy level. Water, on the other hand, will keep you hydrated and help you stay alert.

Say NO to Coffee and Fastfood Products!

Chewing sugar-free gum while driving will also help keep you awake. Lastly, if need be, you can chew on chocolate, licorice, or jellies.

3. Stop Once in a While

You might be stopping over for a meal or comfort-room break, but that would not be enough. One of the safe driving practices that experienced long-distance drivers share is the fact that you need to pull over once in a while to go out of the car and stretch your muscles. Staying in one position for a long time will keep you in a sedentary mode that will just make you feel sleepy. You can also do some laps when you have pulled over. All of which will help keep the blood flowing in your body, especially in your legs, as well as help you breath fresh air.

4. Take Short Naps

Apart from breathing fresh air and stretching your muscles, you must also pull over once in a while to take a short 15- or a 20-minute nap. This can help recharge your brain and your body.

Pull Over and Take Quick Naps

5. Open Your Windows from Time to Time

One of the most common mistakes of drivers in the Philippines is that they tend to leave their windows closed and their ACs turned on at a high level. That is owed to the fact that the weather is quite humid. However, the too cold temperature will just make you feel sleepy. Opening your window to allow fresh air to come in can help balance the temperature level as well as make you listen to background noises, which will help you stay awake.

III. Conclusion

Make sure that you reach your destination and come back home in one piece by following the best practices on how to stay awake while driving long distances alone that this post from Philcarnews.com has provided you. In summary, you should stay and eat healthy prior and during your travel, keep yourself entertained, and take breaks.

>>> Click to get more tips and advice for your safe driving