How do you stay awake?

Getting sleepy when driving - Driving making you sleepy
@bounce58 (17387)
Canada
July 27, 2010 12:38am CST
Today was travel day for me. I had to visit some suppliers up and down the interstate. It is great for me to be out of the office. The problem is that it was just way too hot to be on the road. I think it was something like 88 degrees at one point. As I was driving after lunch, I got so sleepy. It was a bit hard for me to stay awake. The heat and the hum of the tires on the road was ‘lulling’ me to sleep. Do you ever get sleepy at these conditions? Can you still drive safely? How do you stay awake?
1 person likes this
14 responses
@T_Diamond (965)
• New Zealand
29 Jul 10
I would avoid staying on the road, if I felt this sleepy. It's dangerous for me, and other drivers. If I really had to get to place in such conditions, you could do a Mr.Bean act and put clothes pegs to keep your eyes open.
1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
29 Jul 10
Haha! I think I've seen that Mr. Bean episode! I tried to do a not-so-funny version instead. I kept pinching my arm. It worked for a while until I thought it was too painful already. Thanks.
@arystine (1273)
• Philippines
28 Jul 10
Hi bounce. Try drinking cold beverages rich in caffeine such as iced coffee, malted drinks or iced tea. Also try nibbling some chocolate bars while driving. I believe one can stay awake when his senses are jolted.
1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
29 Jul 10
Yes I did! Actually, when I saw the Starbucks sign at one of the exits, it immediately woke me up because I immediately thought of a double chocolate chip cream frappucino which is a favorite of mine even before I moved here. But when I left the coffee shop, I instead had an ice coffee on my hand, which I guess was good enough. Thanks!
• Janesville, Wisconsin
27 Jul 10
I deliberately never got my drivers licence.. because I struggle with this, as well as easily distracted... and highway hypnosis... But when I did drive for drivers ed me and my instructor agreed that I should never drive without playing some music... like the oldies station... mellow enough, to keep my calm, but yet live enough to keep me from falling asleep.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
27 Jul 10
That's a very interesting technique! Do you find yourself singing along with the tunes? I do have my radio on when I am driving, but I'm oblivious to it. Maybe I should also sing. But for me, it would have to rock songs. Thanks for the response.
• Philippines
28 Jul 10
Here's my personal checklist whenever I need to drive long miles. 1. I never drive when I feel like I'm lack of sleep. 2. I never forget to bring extreme menthol candies. 3. I never listen to mellow music that would trigger sleepiness. 4. I never forget to take energy drink. 5. I condition the car I'm gonna use. (check for some errors) If I really feel sleepy i will park somewhere off the road and take a quick nap. ;)
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
29 Jul 10
Not to menthol candies, but I used to have some gums in the car for moments just like these. But I ran out, and I keep forgetting to refill. Thanks for the sensible tips. And thanks for responding.
• China
28 Jul 10
i have not got my driving license yet.so it is illegal for me to drive on the road.joke apart,having a cup of coffee may make you awake.why not have a try!
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
29 Jul 10
I would drink coffee if only it wasn't too hot that time. I did have the cold version, but it was after I found a coffee shop along one of the exits in the interstate. Thanks.
• Canada
29 Jul 10
The best way to stay awake is to invest in a computer or Laptop! its 1.30am right now and im always on the computer this late each and every night. start playing diablo 2, world of warcraft, get into facebook, or neobux, that will deffinitley keep you awake!
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
29 Jul 10
That's a good suggestion, but I'm afraid that doesn't do any good when I am driving on the interstate at 88 degrees just after lunch. Thanks anyway.
@SHAMRACK (8576)
• India
27 Jul 10
Dear friend, May at times a few cups of hot tea. May be just have a nap and go for further drive. Mostly I would have few cups of tea or coffee or soups. If I feel sleepy it is very difficult for me to drive. I most rest or have a nap if I feel sleepy.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
28 Jul 10
Tea is a good idea! But I think I would prefer a could one, because it is too hot. And I'm not sure if tea does really help drowsiness. And I guess having enough sleep and naps would be good too. Thanks.
@monkeylong (3139)
• Guangzhou, China
27 Jul 10
As far as I am concerned, I think there are a lot of ways to keep awake in our daily life. The most way use by people may be just drink some coffee when they are falling asleep. This can be the easiest one. Then I think you can do some other things , like playing some games to make you feel excited.A a lot thimg will do help!
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
28 Jul 10
I would drink coffee, but it was too hot. I would play a game, but I was alone in the car. Thanks anyway.
@bloggeroo (2167)
• Philippines
27 Jul 10
The usual culprit is an intake of a large portion of carbohydrates in your meal. Recently, I experienced this fact when for a long time now, I've been feeling a bit sleepy in the morning accompanied by a headache. I thought I had hypoglycemia so I tried to cut back in the amount of rice I eat during meals and I stopped drinking too much sugared drinks like my 3-in-1 coffee. After the change, I immediately experienced an improvement in my condition. I no longer feel sleepy during the morning and I feel more alert than the previous days. And I also can't take my siesta anymore because I can't fall asleep. I suppose this is a good sign.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
28 Jul 10
I did have some teriyaki chicken with rice for lunch yesterday. And I guess the carbohydrates in the rice made me all the more sleepy. Of course I think the heat had something to do with it too. Thanks for dropping by.
@Luwiego (622)
• Israel
27 Jul 10
Hello bounce58, thank God you didnt start to sleep while driving.... Yes, i have been in this kind of situations, but the best way to stay awake is to get caffeine. Which is in coffe or energy drinks . With a cup of coffe and an energy drink i started driving at the evening and was driving for 24 hours (i was in a hurry). Cheers and happy myLotting ! Hope i helped you, with stay awake problem !
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
28 Jul 10
I guess you're right about energy drinks. I used to drink them in college but I stopped because I always get a big crash after the 'energy' has ran out. I did get some caffeine. I saw a Starbucks in one of the exits, and had myself an ice cold drink. Thanks.
@cac2010 (41)
• Philippines
27 Jul 10
While driving and you feel very sleepy, well to get awake..Try singing songs or listen song making your radyo loud to distruct your sleepiness. Or chew gum to keep you awake..Or just do anything to distruct your sleepiness.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
28 Jul 10
I did have some gum! I chewed for a few minutes until I found a Starbuck's sign at one exit. I traded the gum for some ice cold coffee drink. Thanks for the response. Welcome to myLot!
• Romania
27 Jul 10
it is dangerous for you to drive in some conditions!
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
28 Jul 10
I agree it is very dangerous. That's why I tried so hard to keep awake. Including getting an ice cold coffee drink. Thanks christiana.
@ashton77 (292)
• India
27 Jul 10
That is very dangerous. When I am tired while driving, I usually stop the vehicle in some restaurant or market where I get some thing to drink. A cold soft-drink would be perfect for me. I put on some hard rock music to keep me alive for the long journey.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
28 Jul 10
I guess there are some convenience stores at the exits along the interstate, and I could certainly do that. In fact, I did stop at a Starbucks and got myself one of those cold coffee drinks. Thanks.
@antilove (191)
• Vietnam
27 Jul 10
After the meal, I feel very sleepy and can't help falling into sleep. However, I usually feel alert at midnight. Don't know why but at that time I can concentrate fylly on my work. To stay awake, you can drink coffee, but if you use it for a long time, it will become ineffective. Another way is listening to music like metal rock :D Hope loud music will wake you up ^^
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
27 Jul 10
I'll try the loud music. The coffee doesn't really help as it is already too hot in the afternoon. I did buy one of those cold coffee drinks and it helped a little. Thanks.