You are on the road feeling a bit sleepy and you want to stay awake while driving? We provided you in this article 20 exclusive tips how you can achieve that, and how you can beat sleepiness.
Henceforth, in order not to fall asleep while on a long trip, first of all, you should take a good rest before heading to your destination. Secondly, since you are a truck driver and you are constantly on the road you should pay a lot of attention to your safety and your health.

Take 20 Min. Power Nap – It Can Save Your Life

In order for you to feel more rested and alert, a quick power nap can be very important. Just a nap of 20 minutes can save your life. By taking a nap you will rest your brain and the nervous system will strengthen and will make your brain work faster.
After these power naps you will be refreshed, with increased alertness and a better motor performance.

90 Decibels Can Wake You Up

Likewise, 90 decibels can help you if you feel drowsy. It is known that over 55 decibels are increasing the sleep disturbances and annoyance levels, so 90 decibels will definitely wake you up. Be aware that although listening to loud music can help you stay awake during driving, but also listening to too loud music can damage your hearing.
The intensity of 90 decibels impacts the sleep in a great way. Music turned on 90 decibels is the same as a train whistle at 50 feet away.

100 Calories That Save Life And Don’t Make You Fat

Did you know that only 100 calories can help you stay awake while driving? Sunflower seed is a perfect type of a healthy snack that won’t make you fat but it will wake you up. You will definitely enjoy this snack and you’ll stay self-focused.

Eat Healthy Meal After Your Pre -Route Nap

Furthermore, eating a healthy meal after your nap is really important for your health, especially when you are on long trips. Healthy and fresh meals are providing the human organism with all the necessary vitamins, minerals, and by that, it refreshes the body. Healthy meals can help you stay awake while driving.

So truck drivers should consume healthy meals in order to stay healthy and awake. Whole grains, lean meats, low-fat dairy products, fruits and vegetables can boost your metabolism. By consuming healthy meals you will boost your metabolism and reduce the risk of certain diseases. Healthy food allows the blood to run smoothly.

Drive At Times When You Are Normally Awake

Drowsy driving is related to more than 70% of truck accidents. Driving at times when you are normally awake will contribute to your safety. That is so because your body is used to function that way. The most dangerous hours to drive are between 2 a.m. to 5 a.m.. If you are driving during the hours when you normally sleep might cause lowered simulation.

Have 1 Cup Of Coffee

For sure coffee is not the replacement for a good sleep, but if can wake you up. Small amounts of coffee like one cup of coffee can help you stay awake while driving around five hours. It is the best pick-me-up drink.
But if you are a coffee lover, pay attention not to drink more than four cups a day. Truck drivers should avoid large doses of caffeine because it can harm them. If you are not a coffee lover than in that case you can substitute it with a large cup of green tea.

Chew 1 Ice Cube And Drive For Hours

Another great way of refreshment is chewing ice cubes. Only one ice cube can refresh you enough and it will prevent you from falling asleep. It is best to let the ice slivers melt in the mouth like candy.
Chew ice cubes and stay awake, but be careful because chewing ice can cause tooth injuries.

Keep Yourself Hydrated

Hydration is everything. If not hydrated the body sends us signals of tiredness and sleepiness. The cells, tissues, and organs in our body need water to work normally.
There are many foods that you can consume in order to be hydrated, but water is the best option to stay hydrated. When on long trips keep a bottle of water by your side. A reusable water bottle is the best choice since it can be filled from the tap instead of buying expensive bottles of water.

Keep Your Muscles Moving

In order not to fall asleep while driving, try to keep your muscles active. If you are driving on a long straight road and there isn’t a lot of traffic try to move a little bit your arms one by one, in order to improve the blood circulation in your body. In case if you cannot move your muscles make a short break, and stretch your body, that will help you to stay awake while driving.

Wipe Your Face With Wet Wipe

Wiping your face with wet wipes can also keep you awake. Wet wipes will instantly help you and will provide you refreshment that will keep you awake while driving. Wet wipes are the easiest and the most practical way to wash your face without stopping your truck.

Avoid Sugar

Consuming sugar can help you feel an instant flow of energy, but after a short period of time, it decreases the blood pressure. You will have to be very careful because even if you limit yourself by not eating chocolates and other sweets, you might be consuming sugar in large amounts through processed food.
So while on long trips always buy fresh food and watch out not to eat fast food. Too much sugar can make you feel lethargic and sleepy.

1 Min. Of Open Window Will Wake You Up

The circulation of a fresh air can improve your mood and keep you awake while driving. If you feel sleepy just open the window and take a deep breath. Leave the window for 10 minutes. It will improve your focus.

Avoid Medications That Cause Drowsiness

Moreover, we are all aware that some medications cause drowsiness. So in order for you as a truck driver to stay safe, secure and awake while driving, should be aware of the medications that you are taking.
If it is indicated that your medications cause drowsiness be self-conscious and don’t go on trips.

Listen To Audio Books

Listening to audio books, therefore, can help you stay awake while driving. Just choose a book from your favorite author and enjoy your trip. Contrary there are some people to whom listening to audio books causes opposite effect – they easily fall asleep.
But still, more than 70 % of the people that are on the road constantly say that listening to audio books helps them stay awake and get to their destination on time.

4 Times Breathing Through Your Nose

Breathing techniques have an immense power when it comes to prevention of sleep and refreshment of the body. By the simple technique of taking 4 deep breaths, you will slowly feel how your body wakes.
So a good recommendation for all truck drivers is to practice this 4 times deep breathing, as well as other breathing techniques in order to stay awake while driving. Daily practicing of breathing techniques can improve your concentration and memory and after a period of time, you will be able to control the tiredness of the body.

Set The Car Temperature Lower

By setting the truck temperature to lower you will feel cozier. The temperature in the cabin plays a big role when it comes to sleepiness and drowsiness. Turn the AC for few minutes, just to decrease the temperature in the cabin- that will help the brain function because when it’s a bit hotter or too cold in the cabin the brain ceases to function properly.

Keep Track Of How Long You’ve Been Driving

Before getting into the truck cabin and heading to your destination it is good for you to make a plan for your trip. In that plan, you should include the precise number of driving hours and breaks. That will help you keep track of how long you’ve been driving. By keeping that track and at the same time knowing how your body works, you will prevent yourself from falling asleep.

10 Min. listening To A Fast Music That You Hate

When you are listening to a fast music that you don’t like that way you are sending signals to the brain that will wake it up. That is so because those signals alert the non-friendly zone. We are used to listening music that we like and when someone puts on music that we hate our body naturally reacts to the things that we don’t like.
This will definitely make you stay awake while driving, but make sure that during these 10 minutes you won’t break something.

 500 Mg. Of Vitamin C Will Do The Magic

500 mg. of vitamin C can refresh you easily and can help you stay awake while driving. This vitamin is very powerful since it helps in the prevention of fatigue.

Chew Gum

Chewing gum is also a good way to stay awake while driving your truck. Chewing gum wakes you up in the way that it limits the increase of sleepiness. Chewing gums will stop the yawning and will keep your mouth busy.