How To Stay Awake Driving

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Staying Awake Driving

If there’s one thing you learn as a long haul driver, it’s how to stay awake driving. After a decade of driving and too many miles to count, I feel I have the platform to speak on this. Perhaps not, but all well, here’s my 5 tips for staying awake while driving.

(1) Get Plenty Of Sleep

Yeah, I know. Duh. So obvious, but it’s the truth. If you get plenty of sleep, you won’t have many problems staying awake while you drive.

It’s tough to get sleep on the road, even when you’re 100 percent comfortable with your truck. At the least, you need to make sure you get what sleep you can. The more sleep you can get, the less you’re going to feel tired during your latter hours driving.

(2) Healthy Diet

Ask any truck driver about eating healthy on the road and you’ll likely hear, “good luck.” However, there’s precautions you can take to make sure you’re eating healthy on the road. It’s all about preference. If you want to eat healthy, you can and will or you’ll choose not to do so.

Your body needs energy and it needs the proper minerals and vitamins. Vitamin B alone can help you in this department.

(3) Exercise

What can exercise do for you to keep you up on the road? Well, regular exercise is going to help you feel better. If you get tired early or feel sluggish later on your shift, chances are you’ll benefit from a diet change and exercise.

I know money is time and time is money. If the truck isn’t rolling, you’re not getting paid. My friend, if you’re not here anyway because you feel alseep and went over the mountain, what does it matter anyway? With all due respect, make 30 minutes a day to get a little exercise in.

(4) Make It Routine

The body works like a clock and you can train your body for what ever scenario you face. We’re at our best when we’re in routine. The same can be said about sleep. If there’s any habits you actually want, getting plenty of sleep should be one of them.

If you’re not on schedule, it’s going to be tough. Again, you have to do the best you can. What else can you do? If you can combine the tips in this article, it’s going to give you a better opportunity to stay rested and awake while you’re driving.

(5) Turn Out The Lights

Are you spending the waking moments on your smartphone or tablet? Guilty! That’s a tough one for me, especially when I’m trying to finish this blog. (LOL) In all seriousness though, you need to turn off all your electronics prior to going to bed. It’s suggested that you allow yourself at least an hour or two of no electronics.

I remember an old school trucker would spend his nights doing crossword puzzles. (True Story) He literally had thousands of them in his truck. If the electronics aren’t keeping you up but the crossword puzzle is, put it away my friend. Go get some sleep.

We Want You Here To Stay

We have a lot of responsibility on our shoulders as truck drivers and drivers of all types. It only takes a second to fall asleep driving and that’s more than enough for tragedy to strike. You put your life and the lives of others around you at risk if you’re dosing off on the roads.

The time to act is now, we want you to be around pal.

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Richard Hale is a published author that covers topics on the trucking industry and transportation department.