Hints to prevent momentary nodding off
- Only get into the car when you are well rested. Avoid long drives after work or at hours you normally sleep. Especially between 2.00 a.m. and 5.00 a.m. your body is programmed for sleep.
- Especially look out for typical signs. More than one in every seven car drivers don’t realize that they are actually too tired for driving. When you have a passenger and he notices your tiredness – take his concerns serious.
- Try to take a break as soon as the first signs of an oncoming momentary nodding off show. Take a walk or find a place for taking a power nap.
- Care at least every two hours for a break of about 20 to 25 minutes. Walk around briefly in fresh air and don’t just sit in your car.
- Care for enough oxygen in your car by sufficient airing. When there are signs of severe tiredness the effect of airing only is short and doesn’t support a longtime staying awake.
- Avoid heavy meals before taking a long drive. A full stomach can make tired. And it goes without saying that you should not drive after drinking alcohol.
- In case you have to take medication check the package insert for side effects. Some drugs might impair responsiveness (some antihistamines or sedatives for example).
- Turning up the music when getting tired only leads to further distraction of the attention. The same applies for conversations with your passenger(s).
- The effect of staying awake with caffeine-containing beverages like coffee or energy drinks only is short-term. The tiredness only is postponed and might be much more severe later.
In case you are sleeping sufficiently and still are tired you might suffer under sleep disturbances. Some simple measurements might help. Should your sleeping problems last seek medical advice to exclude eventually existing organic causes.
Receive further information at no charge in the sleep-healthy-guidebook “sleep yourself young, fit and successful”.
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