Too drowsy to drive? Try these 10 ways to stay awake!

 

A long drive can make you feel drowsy, right? As the interprovincial routes are mostly long straight roads and seem to be easy to drive, drivers tend to use a higher speed than that in the city. If you feel drowsy to the point that you doze off and accidentally drive out of the lane, it can cause severe damages.

Today, PTT Lubricants will introduce 10 ways to stay awake and conscious at all times during the long drive for you to try during this coming long holiday!

 

1. Wash your face with cold water

If you are tired of keeping the focus on the same one route, we recommend you to stop by a roadside gas station to wash your hands and face to freshen yourself up. And if you’re still drowsy after that, try walking around the station until you feel awake. It helps!

 

2. Cooling wet wipes and nasal inhaler

If you’re in a hurry, you can just quickly grab a cooling wet wipe or nasal inhaler with a cool herbal or menthol scent. In case you really cannot find any wet wipe at all, you can also buy a bottle of cold water and pour the water into the cloth, twist it and wipe it along your face, arms, and nape. And you're ready to continue the drive!

 

3. Stretching

Sometimes sitting in the same position for a long time will cause back pain, foot pain, and also make you feel drowsy. Try doing some simple exercises like stretching your arms and legs for about 5-10 minutes, just enough to make your heart beat a little faster. Physical exertion is the key!

 

4. Coffee

If you try the above-mentioned ways but they still don't help, try getting some cold drink to energize yourself as you continue to drive. Most gas stations usually have a coffee shop or a convenience store for you to stop by and grab some drinks, take a sip and get refreshed. 

 

5. Energy Drinks

If you are not a coffee lover, you can also turn to a small bottle of energy drink. It will help wake you up as well. Note that if you are not a person that drinks it regularly, you should start by sipping it little by little. If you drink the whole bottle at once, it can be too overwhelming to the body.

 

6. Sour fruits

Here’s another way to stay awake for food lovers! Any sour fruit is a great help during long-distance driving. Try finding sour tamarind or sour mango to chew and enjoy. It will help drive off your drowsiness.

 

7. Put on some fun dance music

If you are not the driver but start noticing that the driver is looking drowsy, try to put on some fun music to help create an atmosphere. This will help the driver feel alert all the time while also having fun together. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, the driver must not lose focus from the road. SAFETY FIRST.

 

8. Talk to a friend

The next one is simple, having someone to accompany you and chat all the way through the trip. Just simply talking to someone can already keep you awake. This is also a good chance to strengthen relationships with your friends too!

 

9. Radio or a podcast

Putting on some channel that you like and just keep listening to the story will make you feel exactly like having a friend accompanying you. This will help keep you awake throughout the drive.

 

10. Really can't deal with the drowsiness? Pull over and take a short nap 

If you did all of those and still feel very drowsy to the point that you start losing your consciousness, it is best to stop at a gas station or a rest area and take a nap for 25-30 minutes. This is called Power Nap. It is a really good way to help us regain our consciousness and wake up pretty refreshed.

And that’s it for ‘10 ways to stay awake while driving’. If you happen to become drowsy while driving, don’t forget to try these helpful methods! Also, do not forget to check the condition of your car before traveling a long distance. If you need to change the engine oil, don't forget to choose PTT Lubricants that will help you drive with confidence and safety all the way to your destination!