How to Stay Alert for a Long Road Trip

Taking a long road trip is undoubtedly one of the most exciting things to do. You can easily engage in many fun activities, and if you are a bettor, you can take time to participate in betting on March Madness. Or, you can engage in road trip games. 

Although road trips are fun, you need to find a way to stay alert during long road trips. Dosing off behind the wheel can be fatal, especially when taking a trip alone. In that case, here are a few tips to help you stay alert during your long road trips. 

Have Enough Sleep

Before starting your long road trip, you need to ensure that you have gotten enough sleep. You must take at least six hours of sleep the night before. You are vigilant, and you would not have to be dosing off while you drive, especially when the sun is hot, and fatigue starts to set in.

You must get enough sleep before your trip. If you were unable to sleep for at least six hours, you should plan it for your journey. Make stops so that you can take a nap when you’ve been driving for hours.

Take Breaks

Driving straight for hours can be dangerous. If you are not careful, you can lose concentration, and what should be fun can turn into a tragedy. So, you should ensure that you take breaks in between your driving. You can take the time to ease yourself, get food, or take a nap.

Once you feel tired, you can park it to one side and clear your head. However, it is recommended that you instead plan to take interval breaks at the start of your journey. That way, you are not stuck in a place without any shade or resting site.

Reduce Your Caffeine

Caffeine might keep you alert, but it can cause more harm than good if you are not careful. Too much caffeine can cause your body to react in some way that can impede your driving. So, you should reduce the amount of caffeine-based drinks that you take. 

You can stick to two for the day so that you are alert enough to drive but not overly intoxicated. But we advise that you avoid them altogether if you can. You can replace them with green tea. You will get the same alertness without the side effects of taking caffeine.

Stay Hydrated

Dehydration is another problem you can face when you take a long trip. So, before your trip, ensure that you have an excessive water supply in your car so that you and your car can stay hydrated. Although the weather can play a role in your dehydration, ensure that you pack enough water regardless of the weather conditions.

Aside from water, you can always take other healthy beverages to stay hydrated. Green tea is a good example for you to consider whenever you are looking for alternatives to water. 

Avoid Soda and Sugary Drinks

Although soda and sugary drinks can give you the energy to stay alert, you should avoid them. They are harmful to your health. You also do not want to find yourself needing to take a trip to the loo in the middle of your trip because of a drink you had a while back. 

So, you should stick to healthy drinks and water to be safe for your next break stop, and when you finally reach your destination, you can check your bowel movement. 

Take Healthy Snacks

Healthy snacks are the way to go. One, they keep you active while you drive. Secondly, they do not cause any upset in your stomach unless you are allergic to them. In that case, you should ensure that you take the time to vet your snacks before you head out. That way, you have something to munch on before your next stop.

Conclusion

When driving on a long trip, you want to be active. If you are alone, you can listen to your well-curated music playlist. Or, you can listen to your favorite podcast so that you have fun, learn and stay active throughout your trip or until your next stop.